Hubballi: Four KSRTC, Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation, staffers allegedly gang-raped a 15-year old girl in a govt bus, while she was returning to Udupi from Ranesbenner in Haveri. The suspects include a bus conductor and three drivers.
Three of the accused have been detained by the police, while one driver is on the run. The victim is a native of Udupi, had reportedly gone to Ranebennur to meet her friend, reports DC.
North West Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC) authorities on Tuesday suspended all the four from service.
The incident had taken place on July 5, but the police were able to detain three on Monday after an investigation. The parents of the girl hailing from Belagavi are settled in Udupi. They are daily wage construction workers.
Police officials said the victim had visited Ranebennur to meet one of her friends. While returning to Udupi at night, she was the only passenger, when all of them raped her.
On reaching Udupi, the victim informed her parents about the tragic incident. Her parents rushed her to a local hospital. Later, they also went to Udupi police station for a complaint. The police officials took her to Ranebennur and arrested three of the accused after she identified them.
The arrested have been identified as Raghu Badiger (35) a bus conductor of Ranibennur depot, V.R. Hiremath (45) and V.C. Kattigar (45), both drivers of Hirekerur bus depot.
Inspector Naveenchandra Jogi said the victim belongs to the migrant community and a case has been lodged under Posco Act at Udupi Mahila police station. Police have also seized the bus in which the crime was committed.