Gorakhpur: A 60-year-old autorickshaw driver was arrested on complaint of molesting a Class VI student and threatening her with dire consequences in the Chiluatal area of Gorakhpur, police said on Saturday.The 12-year-old girl student of a private school in the city commutes daily in the autorickshaw along with other children. On Friday, after school hours, the driver, Pradeep Pandey, allegedly dropped the other children first and then took the girl to a secluded spot near the Sports College.The girl told her mother that the driver behaved inappropriately with her and subjected her to unwanted physical contact. When she resisted, he abused her and threatened to kill her if she disclosed the incident to anyone, the girl said.She reached home later than usual and appeared visibly distressed. On being questioned by her mother, she broke down and told her about the incident.The family lodged a complaint at Chiluatal police station. Gulriha police registered a case against the accused under relevant sections pertaining to molestation and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.The girl’s family said they trusted the driver because of his age and had never suspected misbehaviour from him. They demanded strict action against the accused.Gorakhnath circle officer Ravi Kumar Singh said Pradeep Pandey, the accused, was arrested soon after the FIR was registered. Pandey was produced before a court on Saturday and subsequently remanded to judicial custody.
