Bantwal: Vittal police have arrested a 53-year-old man for allegedly sexually assaulting a minor boy while travelling on a bus and later threatening him at his residence.

The accused has been identified as Umesh, a resident of Kondagayi in Vittal. Following a complaint from the victim and his family, police registered a case and took up an investigation. Umesh was subsequently arrested and produced before a court, which remanded him to judicial custody.

Incident reportedly began on bus

According to the police complaint, the incident occurred on August 15 when the minor boy was travelling by bus from Alike towards Puttur within the jurisdiction of the Vittal police station.

While the bus was at the private bus stand in Vittal, an unidentified man reportedly boarded the vehicle and took a seat next to the boy.

During the journey, the man allegedly behaved inappropriately towards the minor. The alleged incident came to light after the boy got off the bus and returned home.

Accused allegedly followed boy

According to the complaint, the matter did not end when the boy left the bus.

The accused allegedly followed the minor to his residence and appeared there later. Police said he allegedly subjected the boy to further sexual harassment and threatened him.

The accused reportedly warned the minor against revealing the incident to anyone.

The alleged threats prompted the victim and his family to approach the police and report the matter.

Case registered under POCSO Act

Based on the complaint, Vittal police registered a case under Section 4(2) of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, along with Section 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.

The POCSO Act provides a legal framework for protecting children from sexual offences and prescribes procedures for dealing with such cases.

Police began investigating the allegations after receiving the complaint and worked to identify and trace the accused.

Accused arrested

Vittal police arrested Umesh in connection with the case.

Following his arrest, he was produced before the court. The court subsequently remanded him to judicial custody.

Police are continuing their investigation into the allegations and are expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the reported incident, including the events on the bus and the subsequent alleged visit to the minor’s residence.

Investigation continues

The case has drawn attention to the importance of ensuring the safety of children while travelling on public transport and in their neighbourhoods.

Police have continued their investigation after registering the case under the relevant provisions of the POCSO Act and BNS.

As the investigation progresses, authorities will examine the available evidence and record statements as part of the legal process.

The accused has been arrested and remanded to judicial custody, while further investigation into the case remains underway.