7 days ago
Akola horror: 16-year-old NEET aspirant molested, bitten; auto driver arrested
1
2
Akola: A 16-year-old NEET aspirant was allegedly molested inside a moving auto-rickshaw in Akola. When she resisted, the driver reportedly bit her on the arm and thigh. Displaying remarkable courage and presence of mind, the minor girl leapt out of the vehicle to save herself and reported the incident at the Civil Lines police station.
The disturbing incident has raised serious concerns about women's safety—especially for outstation students and minors—and the lack of monitoring mechanisms for public transport in Akola, which is rapidly emerging as a coaching hub in western Vidarbha.
Acting swiftly, Civil Lines police arrested the accused, identified as Jafar Khan Subhedar Khan, and seized the auto-rickshaw (MH 30 E 9497). He has been booked under Section 8 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) Act and Sections 74, 118(1), and 137(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The accused was produced before the court on Saturday and remanded to magisterial custody, Civil Lines police station in-charge Malti Kayande said.
The survivor, a resident of Paratwada in Amravati district, is preparing for the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) in Akola. According to police, she had returned to the city on Friday evening after visiting her hometown. Upon reaching the bus stand, she hired an auto-rickshaw to travel to her hostel.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025
Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List
Undo
However, the driver allegedly diverted the vehicle to a deserted area and molested her.
The incident triggered massive outrage in the city, with several student groups, women's rights organisations, and activists demanding swift and strict action. They also called for fast-track court proceedings and the maximum possible punishment for the accused.
No Lessons Learnt
A similar incident had rocked Maharashtra on March 31, 2023, when a visually impaired woman was raped near the Akola bus stand. Despite widespread outrage, systemic reforms are yet to be fully implemented. The latest case serves as a grim reminder of the urgent need for action. If unaddressed, cities like Akola could become increasingly unsafe for women and students.
