Lucknow: Lucknow Police arrested an auto-rickshaw driver following an alleged attempt to sexually assault two young women who were travelling to appear for the Uttar Pradesh Police recruitment examination. The accused was apprehended after a police encounter late Sunday night in the Para area of the city.
According to police officials, the accused, identified as Haseeb, a resident of Kachhauna in Hardoi district, allegedly attempted to assault the two women after taking them to an isolated location on the outskirts of Lucknow. During the encounter, the accused sustained a bullet injury to his right leg and was subsequently taken into custody.
The victims, residents of Lakhimpur Kheri, had arrived in Lucknow to appear for the police recruitment examination scheduled in Raebareli. They were staying at a relative’s residence in Madiyanv and left around 3 a.m. on Sunday to travel to Charbagh before proceeding to their examination centre.
Police said the women initially hired an auto-rickshaw to reach Alambagh. However, the driver allegedly misled them by claiming that the regular route was inaccessible due to poor road conditions and diverted the vehicle toward a deserted stretch near Ramlila Maidan.
Investigators alleged that the driver then attempted to sexually assault the women. When they resisted, he reportedly assaulted them physically. In an effort to defend themselves, one of the women bit the accused’s finger and both raised an alarm.
Their cries attracted the attention of passersby, prompting the accused to flee the scene. Local residents immediately alerted the police, who rushed to the spot and launched a search operation.
Despite the traumatic incident, police officials ensured that the two aspirants were safely escorted to Raebareli so they could appear for their examination. After returning to Lucknow, the women lodged a formal complaint at Para Police Station, leading to the registration of a case against the accused on charges related to attempted rape and assault.
Acting on information gathered during the investigation, police teams tracked the suspect to the Munnu Kheda canal embankment area. According to officials, the accused attempted to evade arrest, resulting in a brief encounter during which he was injured and subsequently apprehended.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) Kamlesh Dixit said the auto-rickshaw allegedly used in the crime had been recovered. Police also seized an illegal firearm from the accused during the operation.
“The accused has been arrested and further legal proceedings are underway. Evidence related to the case has been collected, and the investigation is being conducted on priority,” a senior police official said.
The incident has raised concerns about the safety of women travelling during early morning hours, particularly candidates appearing for competitive examinations who often undertake long journeys to reach examination centres. Women’s rights advocates have called for stricter monitoring of public transport services and enhanced security arrangements around major examination schedules.
The case has also drawn attention to the challenges faced by female aspirants who travel alone or in small groups for recruitment and entrance examinations across the state.
Police have assured that stringent action will be taken against the accused and that all aspects of the case will be thoroughly investigated.
