Driver accused of molesting girl (14) in cab denied bail
Mumbai: A special Pocso court on Wednesday rejected the bail plea of a Vikhroli-based driver with a cab aggregator arrested in May for allegedly molesting a 14-year-old during a ride to her home, observing that his claim of being falsely implicated was unacceptable, especially given that the girl and he were not acquainted.
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"As per the allegation in the FIR, prima facie, the accused has committed the alleged offence. Investigation is still going on. Therefore, I am not inclined to release the accused on bail," the judge said.
The girl, through her father and special public prosecutor Geeta Sharma, opposed the bail plea of Shreyansh Pandey (23), expressing fear for her safety. Sharma said releasing him could allow him to engage in similar acts with other passengers and he could flee to his home state before the trial.
As per the prosecution, on May 13, the girl called up her father to inform him that her class had ended and requested a cab to get home. Her father booked her a ride with a taxi app. When he called her up to confirm the driver's arrival, she said a cab with a different licence plate had reached her.
The girl boarded the cab and sent a text message to her father. A little later, the father checked the app and learnt that the cab was on Eastern Express Highway, which didn't fall on the designated route.
On being asked how she had got there, the girl said she repeatedly told the driver to stop the vehicle but he refused. She said the driver was playing loud music, had made two incorrect turns and missed another turn for her home.
The father questioned Pandey, who allegedly tried to grab the girl's phone. The father pressed the safety button on the app and also dialled 100. Upon hearing the conversation, the driver stopped the cab and the girl got out.
In her complaint, the girl said Pandey had kept staring at her through the rearview mirror, offered her a cigarette, and tried to touch her with bad intentions under the pretext of taking her phone.
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