Kasaragod: Nileshwar police have registered an FIR against an unidentified conductor of a Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) passenger bus for allegedly sexually assaulting a 16-year-old boy.

The case has been registered under the Protection of Children against Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, police said.

Police said the alleged crime took place in May 2024, when he and his mother boarded the bus to Kannur from Nileshwar stand. "It is an old case, and the boy said that he could identify the conductor only if he saw the accused," said an officer.

The crime came to light now after the boy, exhibiting unusual behaviour, was taken for psychological counselling. During the session, he confided in the counsellor about his ordeal during the bus journey. "We are trying to identify the accused," said the officer.