Student gang-raped on Delhi sleeper bus, driver and conductor arrested

A 16-year-old student was allegedly gang-raped inside a moving sleeper bus in Delhi on the night of August 4, with the arrested driver identified as Kuldeep, a resident of Ladpur Paith village in Kanpur Dehat's Derapur area. Delhi Police have arrested both the driver and conductor Sandeep, while the bus used in the crime has been seized and sent for forensic examination.

According to police, the Class 11 student from Mainpuri district in Uttar Pradesh had lost her way in heavy rain and darkness while heading to her relative's home in Noida and reached Pari Chowk in Greater Noida. An empty sleeper bus passed by, and when she signaled for help, driver Kuldeep and conductor Sandeep offered to drop her at Noida Sector 63 and allowed her to board. After the bus started, the conductor allegedly made obscene gestures toward the student, and both men then allegedly raped her. When she resisted, they threatened to kill her, according to the complaint.

The bus traveled approximately 47 kilometers toward Kashmiri Gate, where the accused dropped the victim near Ring Road late at night and fled. The victim then reached Kashmiri Gate police station and reported the incident. Police later arrested both accused from a bus parking facility in Timarpur, north Delhi. Investigators revealed the bus had been at a Surajpur workshop in Greater Noida for repairs and was being driven back to Timarpur when the incident occurred. The curtains on the sleeper bus prevented anyone outside from seeing what was happening inside.

Meanwhile, Kuldeep's family in Kanpur Dehat has expressed distress over his arrest, claiming he has been framed in a conspiracy. His wife Archana and mother have demanded an impartial investigation, stating that Kuldeep had been driving buses for around 15 years and was devoted to his family. They noted he left home on August 3, and the incident allegedly occurred on August 4. The family also referenced the murder of Kuldeep's father about two months ago, expressing suspicion toward the accused in that case who reside in Noida. Kuldeep's minor daughter has appealed to the Uttar Pradesh government for a fair probe, while Delhi Police continue their investigation with both accused in custody.