Eighth class girl sexually abused in bus at Pala bus stand, conductor held

PALA: Two have been arrested in connection with the incident of sexually abusing a girl of eighth standard in a private bus. Afzal (31) of Kottayam, who abused her and driver Ebin (38) of Kattappana, who helped him, are the two arrested. A case has been registered under POCSO and the bus has been taken into custody. Another conductor fled from the place.

The incident happened on Saturday at 1 pm. A man who saw a girl and a youth in a suspicious manner on the bus with the shutter lowered informed Pala DySP Shaju Jose. Following this, circle inspector K P Tomson and his team rushed to Kottaramattom bus stand.

When police entered the bus, saw the girl in school uniform and the youth in a compromising situation at the back seat.

Afzal (31) was nabbed immediately. Afzal, who is married, pretended love and seduced her, a regular passenger of the bus. She reached the bus stand on Saturday afternoon at the request of Afzal. Afzal called his conductor friend, saying he has fever. Then this conductor and the driver cancelled the trip in the name of less passengers. They then lowered the shutters and helped Afzal to sexually abuse the girl.

The girl was subjected to medical examination after a case was registered as per the statement of the girl. Police said they had received information that Afzal had abused the girl twice before. The 13-year-old girl was later subjected to counselling.