Kochi: Piravom Police on Friday arrested a KSRTC conductor for allegedly spitting on the face of a Class 10 student following an argument over halting the bus at her stop in the night.
The state-run public transporter entity is also taking action against the conductor identified as Praveen of Pala depot, who was on duty on the Vytilla-Seethathode fast passenger service when the incident happened on Tuesday night. “Acting on the complaint of the minor girl, we’ve arrested him and produced before a magistrate court which remanded him in judicial custody,” an officer said.
He faces charges under Section IPC 294 (B) (use of an obscene song, ballad or words in public) and that under the relevant section of the Juvenile Justice Act.
According to the police, the victim and her mother boarded the Vytilla-Seethathode FP from Thuruthikara in Mulan-thuruthy around 8 pm.
They wanted to alight at Muloorpadi in Piravom and requested the conductor to stop the bus.
“However, the accused refused, citing the bus had no scheduled stop there. Soon an argument broke out. He stopped the bus after fellow passengers intervened. As per the complaint, he spat at the face of the victim when they de-boarded and the bus started proceeding further,” the officer said.
Meanwhile, the KSRTC instituted a parallel probe into the incident. “The Vigilance wing has collected statements from concerned persons, and a final report will be submitted for action tomorrow,” said a senior official. However, sources said the report found the conductor and driver guilty and recommends action against them.
“There is a rule to allow request stops on journeys during the night (after 9 pm), especially upon requested by women passengers. The crew violated the same and might face suspension,” the official said.
Meanwhile, the KSRTC placed under suspension another conductor, a native of Kollam, for not stopping the bus as per the request of a 22-year old woman at night.
“She boarded from Athani Junction near Nedumbassery around 10 pm and requested to stop the bus at Bank Junction. However, the conductor didn’t heed,” the official said.
