Minor from Kolkata allegedly raped by taxi driver in Sikkim

Siliguri: A minor girl from Kolkata was allegedly raped by the driver of a taxi she had hired to go sightseeing in North Sikkim, according to a media report.

The student, who had just finished her Class 12 exams, was on a vacation with her friends to Gangtok from May 13. She hired the taxi along with her two friends on Sunday afternoon to visit the popular tourist spots in and around Gangtok.

The driver first took them to Rumtek Monastery and then to Tashi View Point. He then told the girls they could visit some waterfalls in North Sikkim and the girls agreed to go.

According to the report, the driver offered the girls chips, dumplings and water on the way. The girl, who was sitting in the front seat, accepted them but began feeling drowsy soon after consuming them.

The driver then began to make sexual advances at the girl. When her two friends resisted, he assaulted them and forced them to get out of the taxi. After this, he drove away with their friend.

The girls walked two kilometres to the nearby village to report the incident to the villagers. They also informed the hotelier at Gangtok, who in turn lodged a complaint in Sadar Police Station in the city.

Police in East Sikkim district then contacted their counterparts in North Sikkim. With Personnel from the Phudong Police Station rescued the victim and arrested the driver with the help of the locals.

The report says that the girl had injury marks on her face and neck, and was in a state of shock. The victim has lodged a police complaint against the driver in Gangtok. The girls are likely to appear before a magistrate to record their statement on Tuesday.