Pala: A bus conductor has been arrested by the police for sexually abusing a girl student here. The alleged crime took place at the private bus stand at Kottaramattom in Kottayam district.
Afzal, 31, of Thundaparambil House, was arrested on the charge of sexually abusing the girl, who is a Class-8 student, inside a bus.
The driver Ebin, 35, of Kattapana who aided the conductor in facilitating the crime, has also been taken into custody.
Another conductor who is their friend is absconding.
The conductor, who concealed his marital status, sexually abused the student after feigning love. The student used to travel by the bus regularly.
As per the complaint the girl reached the bus stand as demanded by Afzal at 1 pm on January 15.
Afzal claimed he had a fever and summoned his friend who is also a conductor. Afzal and driver then skipped the 1.30 pm trip saying there were no passengers.
After taking the girl inside the bus, the other conductor and driver pulled down the shutters of the bus and left.
In the meanwhile, based on a secret information received by Deputy Superintendent of Police Shaju Jose, a police party headed by Station House Officer SHO K P Thomson inspected the bus and found the conductor and the girl inside the vehicle.
The bus has been seized by the police.
The student was subjected to medical examination and sent for counseling.
The accused were arrested by a team comprising Sub-Inspector M D Abhilash, Assistant SIs Biju K Thomas, senior civil police officer Sherin Stephen and Binamma, Civil Police Officers Ranjith, Lakshmi and Ramya.