Noida-Delhi Bus Gang-Rape Survivor's Family Flees Village Over Media Intrusion

Fearing intrusion and social stigma, parents of the 17-year-old survivor in the Noida-Delhi bus gang-rape case have locked their house and left their UP village.

A villager, who knows the family, told TOI on Tuesday: “After media persons began visiting our remote village in Mainpuri district seeking details about that horrific incident, they couldn’t take it anymore.”

He added: “There’s no one in that house now, the dwelling has fallen silent.”

Another neighbour added: “No one here knew what had happened to the girl. When media persons came here on Monday and told us that she had been raped, everyone was shocked.”

He appealed to journalists to avoid repeatedly visiting the place, citing concerns over the survivor’s future and privacy. “Please don’t come again and again to shoot videos or take pictures. She will have to get married in future. By revealing the village and asking people about her, the media has made the matter known here and also the neighbouring areas,” he added.

The girl was allegedly sexually assaulted on a moving bus by the vehicle’s driver and conductor on Aug 4. The bus had travelled almost 50 km from Greater Noida to Old Delhi’s Kashmere Gate without being detected.

The alleged sexual assault took place while she was travelling from Greater Noida towards Sector 63, police said. After violating her, the bus driver and conductor allegedly dumped her at Ring Road in the Kashmere Gate police station area.

The accused duo were later identified as Kuldeep, 39 (bus driver); and Sandeep, 26 (conductor).

The area’s SHO told TOI: “The family is safe and have gone to their relatives.”

Local MLA, who visited the village on Monday, said, “People in the village came to know about it probably yesterday. When I went there, I found her house locked. Her father’s phone was switched off. I made considerable efforts to speak with the family, but I have been unable to do so thus far.”

The MLA added: “I demand the strictest possible punishment for the two accused.”

Meanwhile, president of UP State Women Commission, Babita Chauhan, has written to police commissioner of Gautam Budh Nagar for “tough action”.