Forensic evidence strengthens Delhi sleeper bus gang-rape case; DNA report awaited

New Delhi, Sep 2 (IANS) Major forensic evidence has emerged in the alleged gang-rape of a 16-year-old girl inside a moving sleeper bus, with fingerprints of the survivor and both accused reportedly found on the vehicle, Delhi Police sources said on Wednesday.

According to the sources, fingerprints belonging to the survivor and the two accused, identified as bus driver Kuldeep and conductor Sandeep, were recovered from the bus. Police have also seized the clothes worn by both accused for forensic examination.

Forensic samples have been collected from the seats and steering wheel of the bus, while the DNA report is awaited. Investigators are examining the evidence to establish the sequence of events and corroborate the survivor’s allegations.

The girl had boarded the bus after taking a lift near Pari Chowk in Greater Noida on August 4. Police are expected to file a charge sheet in the case soon.

Earlier, on August 31, police said that the 16-year-old had allegedly been gang-raped inside an empty sleeper bus by its driver and conductor in Greater Noida earlier this month. Both accused have been arrested in connection with the case.

According to the police, the incident took place near Pari Chowk on August 4. In her complaint, the survivor alleged that the two accused sexually assaulted her and threatened to kill her if she resisted. They subsequently abandoned her near Kashmere Gate in Delhi.

The accused, Kuldeep and Sandeep, were arrested from a parking area in Timarpur on the same day, police said.

The bus was seized and sent for forensic examination. Investigators have also collected CCTV footage from the route taken by the vehicle. The footage is being examined to establish the sequence of events and determine the bus movement during the alleged incident.

Meanwhile, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Tuesday took suo motu cognisance of reports that the minor was allegedly gang-raped by the driver and conductor of a sleeper bus in Greater Noida on August 4.

Observing that the contents of the news report, if true, raise serious issues of human rights violations, the apex human rights body has issued notices to the Police Commissioners of Delhi and Gautam Buddha Nagar and the Superintendent of Police, Mainpuri, seeking a detailed report within two weeks.

–IANS

jk/dpb