School bus attendant held for sexual assault on LKG student

The Jnanabharathi police have arrested a school bus attendant on charge of sexually abusing an LKG student of St. Sophia School, Papareddypalya in Nagarabhavi, in the bus.

The police said the four-year-old had been sexually assaulted for many days but it came to light only when she came home crying on Monday. When her mother asked her, she said the “bus uncle” had touched her inappropriately.

Assault confirmed

The victim’s father was away in Delhi on a business trip and the shocked mother rushed her to a nearby hospital where doctors confirmed the sexual abuse. The distraught mother rushed to the school and complained to the management which tried to play it down.

The news spread like wildfire and other parents gathered in front of the school, shouting slogans against the management and demanding the 24-year-old Sabanna’s arrest. The police later traced him.

“He has undergone medical examination and we are waiting for the report for further investigation,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) D.C. Rajappa.

The police said Sabanna, married with two children, has been working with the school for the past few months.

Jnanabharathi police said according to the mother’s complaint, one of the assaults took place during the break when the child was playing. Sabanna allegedly took her to a shed nearby and attempted to rape her.

School refutes charge

The school denied the allegations. “No such thing has happened and the police will prove it,” said principal B.K. Yogesh. “The girl’s parents had earlier complained to us that a boy was touching her inappropriately. So we ensured he never came near her.

“On Monday, around 5.30 p.m., the girl’s mother came to us again and told us someone is misbehaving with her child and we should conduct an enquiry. The parents of the girl were expected to come in this morning for talk. By the time the school bell rang, there was already a mob staging a protest. Initially, the parents didn’t want to file a complaint, they just wanted to warn the attendant. But there was a mob outside and the media. So I insisted they file a police complaint.”