- School van driver arrested
Bhopal: In a shocking incident, a Class 10 student was abducted, raped and held captive of 49 days in Bhopal. The girl is 16 years old and the accused is a school van driver who kidnapped her on the last day of the 10th board exam. She was recovered after 49 days on Tuesday night, said the police.
The girl’s family lodged a missing report after she did not return home on the last day of her examinations. Allegedly, the police did not take any immediate action on the complaint. After 49 days, on Tuesday, the police found the minor and arrested the accused school van driver, Abhishek Sarathe (34).
Police said the student was kidnapped from Shahjahanabad police station area on 26 February. The 10th class student had gone to write the last paper of her 10th boards. While returning home, the driver kidnapped her.
He kept the girl hostage for 49 days in Ahirpura of Jahangirabad police station area raped her several times. Receiving a tip-off, the police found and freed the girl on Tuesday night and arrested the accused.
SI Pawan Sen said the girl is a resident of Idgah Hills. The girl used to go to school in the accused’s van. The accused has been arrested and a case has been registered against him under the POCSO Act.
The girl had come to Center Cambridge School, Lower Idgah Hills, because of her board exams. The girl did not return home on 26 February after giving her last examination. Till late evening the family members searched the houses of all her relatives and acquaintances as well as her friends. Family claims that the police did not take immediate actions on the matter.
