Bus used in Delhi rape case had only tourism permit; yet it was being illegally used for passenger transport

New Delhi – In connection with the incident on the night of 11th May, in which a driver and conductor raped a woman inside a moving sleeper bus, Police investigation has revealed that the bus belonged to Bihar and that, although its permit was only for tourism purposes, it was being illegally used for passenger transportation. The bus operates on the Delhi–Bihar route.

No one became suspicious because the bus curtains were drawn

Preliminary investigation revealed that the curtains inside the bus were drawn, due to which nothing was visible from outside. Since the bus was air-conditioned, its windows were shut. Therefore, the victim’s screams could not be heard outside, and because the curtains were drawn, people passing on the road had no idea about the incident. A forensic team has been called to collect evidence from the bus.

The bus already had several cases of traffic rule violations registered against it

Investigation has revealed that the bus used in the crime is registered in the name of an establishment called ‘Sai Drishti Private Limited’ in Gopalganj district. Fines amounting to more than ₹10 lakh are pending against this bus. It had been registered in 2024. The owner of the bus is Happy Malhotra, a resident of Rampur Sadauwa village in Gopalganj district. Earlier, 12 cases of traffic rule violations had already been registered against the bus. These included lack of insurance, carrying passengers beyond permitted capacity and neglect of safety standards.