Transport officer arrested for molesting bus conductor

MUMBAI: The Nagpada police on Saturday arrested a state transport officer for allegedly molesting a 28-year-old woman bus conductor inside his cabin.

MUMBAI: The Nagpada police on Saturday arrested a state transport officer for allegedly molesting a 28-year-old woman bus conductor inside his cabin.

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The 50-year-old supervisor was later released on bail.

According t o police, t he woman alleged that the officer would frequently pass comments at her while she was on duty. The accused started misbehaving with her, offering to give her duty on short-distance buses if she conceded to his advances.

“The conductor said the inspector had been harassing her since May 8. He would ask her to come with him and if she did, he would give her short-distance buses, which shall be convenient for her,” said an officer.

Last week, when the woman went inside the officer’s cabin to collect her duty schedule, the accused allegedly groped her, the officer said.

“Both the officer and the conductor are posted with the Mumbai Central bus depot. The officer has the authority of assigning duties to bus drivers and conductors,” said another officer.

“The conductor, who hails from Aurangabad, was posted with the Mumbai Central bus depot few months ago. The accused had been allegedly harassing her since t hen. After the incident, the conductor approached Nagpada police station following which a complaint was registered and the accused was nabbed,” said the officer.

An official from the state transport department said, “We have set up an internal inquiry and if the inspector is found guilty, then appropriate action shall be taken against him.”

The accused has been booked under sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 338 ( causing grievous hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others) and 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code.