‘Dispute over money’: Accused in Delhi bus gang-rape case tell cops; what we know so far

NEW DELHI: Delhi Police has arrested the driver and the conductor of a private sleeper bus for allegedly raping a 30-year-old woman inside the vehicle in west Delhi’s Nangloi three days ago.

The woman, a mother of four children, lives with her family in a slum cluster near outer Delhi.

In her statement before a magistrate and to police, she said that she was returning home after helping her brother around 12.15am on May 11 when the incident took place.

She claimed she was heading towards Madhuban Chowk and had reached near Saraswati Vihar bus stand when a private sleeper bus, with curtains drawn over the windows, approached her. The woman boarded the bus and found three men inside.

One of them got down after some time. The remaining two, who have been accused, allegedly drove the bus towards a secluded area in Nangloi, at least 7km from where she was picked up.

The woman alleged that both the accused sexually assaulted her inside the bus. The accused have, however, claimed that it was a “monetary dispute” and cops said this was a matter of investigation.

The accused have been identified as Umesh, a resident of Agra, and Ramendra, from Hathras in Uttar Pradesh.

Both have been driving in Delhi for 5-6 years and used to take turns driving the bus, police said, adding that they are examining the sequence of events.

NCW writes to police, demands strict action

Investigators said an argument broke out between the woman and the accused, allegedly over money. The woman first used Umesh’s phone to ask Ramendra, who got out of the bus after some time, for money. When he refused, she used the phone to call the police and inform them about the alleged assault.

Delhi Police denied that she was sexually assaulted in a moving vehicle.

Senior police officers reached the spot soon after and arrested the two accused from the location. The woman was taken for medical examination following which the FIR was registered under Sections 64 (rape), 70 (gang rape) and 3(5) (common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Both accused were later produced before a court and sent to judicial custody.

Police said the claims made by the accused are being verified and all angles are being examined as part of the investigation.

The victim’s statement has also been recorded in court under Section 164 of the CrPC.

The police are examining the sequence of events and will be looking at CCTV footage to examine the route taken by the bus and the background of the accused. The vehicle allegedly used in the crime has been seized and a forensic examination has been conducted for evidence.

The National Commission for Women has written to Delhi Police chief, directing strict, and time-bound action in the matter. The commission has sought a detailed Action Taken Report within seven days.

NCW directed the authorities to furnish details of preventive and corrective measures proposed to strengthen the safety of women travelling through public and private transport systems in Delhi, particularly during late hours.