A driver with the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) has been formally charged after a woman conductor posted at the corporation's headquarters accused him of persistent harassment. The incident, which has sparked outrage, involved the driver allegedly making a series of lewd, abusive, and threatening phone calls to the female employee while he was in a heavily intoxicated state.
Details of the Harassment Complaint
The complainant, a regular conductor stationed at the Avadh Depot, was present at a bank located within the Transport Headquarters in Lucknow on Tuesday afternoon when she reportedly received the first call. According to the First Information Report (FIR) copy, it was immediately apparent to the woman that the caller, her colleague, was severely under the influence of alcohol.
The driver did not stop at one call. He repeatedly called her back, each time using obscene and offensive language. In a particularly disturbing comment cited in the complaint, he told her to "decorate the bus the way she applied makeup." This remark left the woman deeply disturbed and feeling humiliated, prompting her to take formal action.
Formal Complaint and Police Action
After enduring the harassment, the woman first returned to the Avadh Depot. There, she confided in a colleague, a contractual driver, about the ordeal. Shockingly, the accused driver then allegedly called this male colleague as well. During that call, he abused him and issued threats, defiantly stating that no one could stop him from continuing his behavior.
Following this escalation, the victim submitted a formal written complaint to the senior officials of the transport corporation. After raising the matter internally, she approached the Wazirganj police station to seek legal recourse.
Based on her detailed statement, the police registered an FIR on the same day. The case has been filed under Sections 352 (assault or criminal force otherwise than on grave provocation), 351(2) (assault or use of criminal force to woman with intent to disrobe), and 296 (uttering any word or making any sound or gesture with intent to insult the modesty of a woman) of the newly implemented Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Ongoing Investigation and Next Steps
The Wazirganj police have confirmed that an investigation is actively underway. Officers are currently in the process of recording statements from all relevant parties to build a strong case. This includes the complainant, witnesses, and other staff members from the UPSRTC depot.
Police officials have stated that further legal action will be determined solely based on the evidence gathered during the probe. The case highlights serious concerns about workplace safety and the mechanisms for addressing harassment within public sector undertakings. It also tests the application of the new criminal code, the BNS, in addressing such offenses promptly.
