TRIGGER WARNING: The article contains references to rape and abuseBhumi Pednekar has expressed outrage over the alleged sexual assault of a 16-year-old girl inside a moving sleeper bus in the Delhi-NCR region. The case has once again raised serious questions about the safety of women and minors while travelling, particularly in privately operated buses.Taking to Instagram Stories on Monday, Bhumi shared her reaction to the disturbing incident and questioned why such cases continue to surface despite repeated discussions around women’s safety. She wrote, “How can we see this happen again and again and again! Shame!”
Bhumi Pednekar REACTS to alleged rape of 16-year-old in moving Delhi bus
According to a Hindustan Times report, Delhi Police arrested the driver and conductor of a sleeper bus in connection with the alleged gang rape of the teenager. Police said the girl had been misled into boarding the bus in Greater Noida earlier this month.The teenager was allegedly taken across different parts of Delhi-NCR before being abandoned near Kashmere Gate. The incident has also resulted in a jurisdiction-related dispute, with Uttar Pradesh Police claiming that Delhi Police did not inform them about the case even though the alleged assault reportedly occurred within the Gautam Buddh Nagar Commissionerate limits. The National Human Rights Commission has also taken note of the case, bringing additional attention to concerns surrounding the protection and safety of women and children.
Teenager was travelling to her cousin’s home
According to Delhi Police, the girl, a Class 11 student from Mainpuri, had left her home on August 3 without informing her parents following an argument with her mother over her studies. Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) Niharika Bhatt said the teenager was travelling towards her cousin’s home in Sector 63, Noida. Police said she eventually got off at Pari Chowk after it became dark and heavy rain started. While waiting there, she saw a bus approaching and reportedly signalled for it to stop. An officer familiar with the investigation said the conductor allegedly told her that the bus was headed towards Sector 63. Believing this, the teenager boarded the vehicle.
Police allege assault took place inside moving bus
According to the police, there were no other passengers inside the bus when the girl boarded. Investigators allege that the conductor subsequently behaved inappropriately towards her before he and the driver sexually assaulted her while the bus was moving. The teenager reportedly resisted the accused, following which the two men allegedly threatened to kill her, police said.Following her complaint, Delhi Police registered a case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act. She was also taken for a medical examination, which confirmed the assault.
CCTV footage helped Police trace bus
Investigators reportedly used CCTV footage and other information gathered during the probe to locate the bus at a parking facility in Timarpur, north Delhi. The vehicle has since been seized and sent for forensic examination. The teenager was produced before the Child Welfare Committee and was later handed over to her father following the committee’s directions.
Bhumi Pednekar’s work front
On the professional front, Bhumi Pednekar was recently seen in ‘Daldal’, where she portrayed DCP Rita Ferreira. The crime thriller follows a police officer dealing with a difficult personal past while investigating a series of murders in Mumbai. The series is based on Vish Dhamija’s bestselling novel ‘Bhendi Bazaar’ and is streaming on Amazon Prime Video. Before ‘Daldal’, Bhumi appeared in projects including ‘Mere Husband Ki Biwi’, ‘Khel Khel Mein’ and ‘Bhakshak’.DISCLAIMER: If you or someone you know is struggling with abuse, please seek help. Numerous helplines and support resources are available.
