A 17-year-old girl from Balrampur, Uttar Pradesh, has alleged that she was sexually assaulted by a truck driver and his helper after accepting a lift. According to police and media reports, the teenager said she travelled with the two men for nearly 150 km before escaping near Salempur in Deoria district and approaching the police. The allegations are now being investigated.
Teenager Had Left Home After Family Dispute
According to the complaint reported by police, the girl left her home following a dispute with her family and was waiting beside a road for transport towards Basti. A truck driver allegedly approached her and asked where she wanted to go. He reportedly told her that he was travelling towards Bihar and assured her that he could drop her near Basti after unloading his goods.
The teenager allegedly accepted the offer and boarded the truck. Police said the journey subsequently took a different course from what she had expected. The girl alleged that after she entered the vehicle, the driver handed control of the truck to his helper.
Assault Allegedly Took Place During Journey
In her complaint, the teenager alleged that the driver sexually assaulted her while the truck was travelling between Balrampur and Basti. She further alleged that both men remained with her as the vehicle continued travelling during the night.
According to the police account reported by Hindustan Times, the girl said she was unable to seek immediate help during the journey. She later alleged that the two men prevented her from leaving the vehicle and that she remained with them until the truck reached the Deoria area.
Girl Escaped Near Salempur
The teenager told police that the truck stopped near Salempur Kotwali on Monday morning. Reports differ slightly on the circumstances of the stop, but police said the driver got out of the vehicle while the girl was still inside.
She allegedly used the opportunity to escape from the truck and reached Salempur police station. Police subsequently located the truck, but the two men were reportedly no longer there. The girl was then placed at a One Stop Centre in Deoria for care and assistance.
Zero FIR Registered, Investigation Underway
Salempur Kotwali registered a zero FIR because the alleged offence occurred during the journey between Balrampur and Basti. The case was subsequently forwarded to the police station concerned for further investigation.
The FIR includes provisions of the POCSO Act because the complainant is a minor, along with provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to alleged gang rape, causing hurt and kidnapping or abduction-related conduct. The accused have been identified in reports as Samoon and Vakil.
Police are investigating the allegations and the circumstances surrounding the journey. As the case remains under investigation, the allegations against the accused have not been established by a court.
