Van Driver Accused of Molesting Three Schoolgirls in Juhu
The Juhu police have arrested a 48-year-old private school van driver for allegedly molesting three minor girls whom he regularly transported to school. The accused, identified as Gulzar Shaikh, a resident of Santacruz, was taken into custody on November 15 following complaints from the victims' parents.
How the Horrific Incident Unfolded
According to police officials, the disturbing incident occurred on November 13 when Shaikh picked up students from outside the gate of a private school in Juhu. The matter came to light two days later when an 11-year-old victim confided in her parents that the driver had touched her inappropriately under the pretext of helping her disembark from the vehicle.
When the girl's mother spoke to other parents whose daughters also traveled in the same van, she discovered that two other children - aged 8 and 9 years - had similar harrowing experiences. Both young girls reported that the driver had touched them inappropriately and put his hands inside their school uniforms while pretending to assist them with their bags.
A police officer involved in the investigation revealed, "The accused touched the victims on their backs while helping them get off the vehicle, and he even groped one of the girls."
Legal Action and Police Investigation
The concerned parents collectively approached the Santacruz police station on November 15 and filed official statements. After recording statements from both the victims and their parents, authorities registered a First Information Report (FIR) against Shaikh.
Initially, the case was filed at Santacruz police station since all the victims resided in that area. However, since the school falls under Juhu police jurisdiction and the incident occurred nearby, the case was transferred to Juhu police station for further investigation.
Shaikh has been charged under Section 75 of the BNS (Assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) along with relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The accused remains in police custody until November 20 as the investigation continues.
A Juhu police officer confirmed, "Once the case came to us, our team immediately arrested the accused on November 15. The van does not belong to the school - it is a private vehicle that picks up students from outside the school premises."
The case has raised serious concerns about the safety of children during school commutes and highlights the importance of thorough background checks for private transport providers serving educational institutions.
