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Tourist's Escape After Taxi Driver's Assault Attempt
19 Jul
Summary
- A 16-year-old tourist escaped an assault attempt by a taxi driver.
- The incident occurred when the driver deviated from the route in Pithoragarh.
- The driver faces multiple charges including sexual assault and Pocso Act violations.
In the Gangolihat area of Pithoragarh district, a 45-year-old taxi driver was arrested on Sunday for allegedly attempting to rape a 16-year-old tourist from Haryana. The survivor had hired the taxi in Nainital on Friday morning and agreed to visit Patal Bhuvaneshwar at the driver's suggestion. Their journey took them to Gangolihat, where the alleged assault occurred late that night.
While en route to Guptadi around 11 pm, the driver reportedly attempted to sexually assault the tourist. She managed to escape by jumping out of the moving vehicle. Occupants of a passing vehicle, alerted by her cries, intervened and rescued her.
Following the rescue, the survivor and the accused driver were brought to the Gangolihat police station. An FIR was registered against the driver under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, including assault and sexual harassment, as well as sections of the Pocso Act. The tourist's family has been informed, and she was provided with counseling services.
