Pune: A school bus driver has been sentenced to five years of rigorous imprisonment and fined ₹5,000 for molesting an eight-year-old girl during her bus commute.

The court has ordered that the fine be given to the girl as compensation. Additional Sessions Judge D.K. Anbhule delivered the verdict. The convicted driver is identified as Vikas Balu Tikone.

The incident came to light on August 16, 2018. On the day of the incident, the girl's mother was waiting for the school bus. Upon arrival, she noticed her daughter was visibly frightened.

After taking her home and inquiring, the girl revealed the inappropriate actions of school bus driver Tikone and stated that he had threatened to harm her and not allow her to attend school if she told anyone.

The girl's mother filed a complaint at the Lonavala police station. The police arrested Tikone and filed a charge sheet against him.

In this case, Additional Public Prosecutor Sunil More represented the government and examined seven witnesses, including the girl, her mother, another driver, a medical officer, and key eyewitnesses.

The court, after hearing arguments from both the prosecution and the defense, sentenced the accused to five years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a ₹5,000 fine. Police Constable V.M. Sapkal assisted the prosecution in the court proceedings.