MSRTC driver, conductor arrested for rape

Thane, Dec 30 (UNI) A driver and a conductor of Maharashtra State Roadways Transport Corporation (MSRTC) bus from Palghar division in Thane district were today arrested by the district rural police on charges of raping a tribal woman.

Police Sub Inspector Vitthal Shivaram Kharbas of the Kasa police station, who is conducting the investigation, said that on Friday night, the woman was on her way home to Chari Khurd in Palghar taluka by Boisar-Barhanpur bus after meeting her parents at Nanivali-Chiknipada in Manor in Palghar taluka.

On reaching her destination Dugadpada, she was not allowed to alight from the bus and was instead taken to the last stop at Boisar, where the bus was scheduled for a night halt. She was then dragged out and taken to an unlocked room in the nearby Grampanchayat building, where she was allegedly raped by the conductor, three times within a span of eight hours driver too outraged her modesty the next morning, police said.

Police acted promptly on the complaint by the victim and her husband and arrested both the conductor and driver Janu Samtya Dokphode (33) and Chandrakant Patil (54) respectively.

The victim is undergoing treatment at Thane Civil Hospital.

State BJP Mahila Morcha President Manisha Chowdhary expressed serious concern over the rising crime against women and demanded police protection. She also called for a action against public servants who indulge in such grave acts. She also demanded protection for women in ST buses on isolated routes especially at night.

UNI