T’puram: A fast track special court in the city on Monday sentenced a bus conductor to five years of rigorous imprisonment for sexually assaulting a 17-year-old schoolgirl inside a moving bus.Judge Anju Meera Birla convicted Arunkumar (46) of Aruvikkara, and imposed a fine of Rs 15,000 on him. In case of default in payment of the fine, he will have to undergo an additional six months in prison, the court ordered. The fine amount, along with compensation to be awarded by legal services authority, should be given to the survivor, the judgment stated.The incident took place on Sept 23, 2024, on a bus plying from Vellanad to Kizhakkekotta. The survivor, who used to travel by the same bus to school every morning, was standing in the crowded bus when it reached the Maruthamkuzhi area. The accused, who was the conductor on duty, allegedly molested her by touching her inappropriately.Frightened, the girl did not disclose the incident to anyone initially. As no other bus was available, she continued travelling on the same bus and kept encountering the accused, which pushed her into depression. The abuse came to light only when she was taken to a psychologist for treatment.Special public prosecutor R S Vijay Mohan appeared for the prosecution.
