Gang-rape in sleeper bus: NCW seeks report from Delhi Police within a week

New Delhi: The NCW has taken suo motu cognisance of the reported gang-rape of a 16-year-old Class 11 student from Mainpuri in Uttar Pradesh, allegedly inside a moving sleeper bus in the National Capital Region (NCR) and sought an action taken report (ATR) from the Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar within a week, an official said on Thursday.

In a letter to the Police chief, National Commission for Women (NCW) Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar said the report should include the status of investigation, forensic findings, chargesheet and oversight measures, a statement said.

“The safety, dignity and rights of children are non-negotiable. The Commission will closely monitor the matter to ensure accountability and justice,” she added.

In the letter, Rahatkar called for expeditious investigation and custodial questioning of the accused to establish the complete sequence of events and the inter-state route traversed and strict application of all applicable provisions under POCSO and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including aggravated gang rape and criminal intimidation, with enhancement of charges wherever warranted.

She also suggested preservation and examination of forensic, physical and digital evidence, including medical evidence, the impounded bus, GPS/telematics data, CDRs and CCTV footage along the route.

The NCW Chief also directed complete protection and support for the survivor and her family, including legal assistance, psychological counselling and compensation under applicable schemes.

In a separate case, the NCW took suo motu cognisance of the reported sexual harassment and molestation of 22 minor girls at an Adivasi Ashram Shala in Thane’s Shahapur by a kitchen helper and sought a report within a week, the statement said.

NCW Chairperson Rahatkar wrote to the authorities seeking an expeditious and comprehensive investigation, strict action under the POCSO Act and BNS, and a probe into serious institutional lapses.

“Reports that the accused had previously been arrested under POCSO in 2024 for a similar offence and was subsequently posted at another institution are deeply concerning and warrant accountability,” she said.

“The Commission called for action against all responsible officials, protection of the victims’ identities, and immediate medical, psychological and legal support, along with victim compensation. An Action Taken Report has been sought within seven days,” the statement added.

In a third case, Rahatkar took suo motu cognisance of the reported rape of an 11-year-old girl in Punjab’s Hoshiarpur allegedly by a 52-year-old government school headmaster and sought an action taken report from the authorities within seven days, the statement said.

“The alleged offence by an educator entrusted with the safety and well-being of children is deeply disturbing and warrants the strictest legal and administrative action,” the NCW Chief said.

IANS