Special Correspondent
Pune: In a shocking incident, a PMPML depot manager has been booked for allegedly committing an obscene act against a female bus conductor. A case has been registered against him at Samarth Police Station. Frustrated over inaction on her complaint, the woman attempted suicide by pouring kerosene over herself inside the depot manager’s cabin.
A case has been registered against Sunil Dhondiba Bhalekar (44, resident of Charholi) and Sanjay Kusalakar in connection with the incident. The female conductor lodged a complaint at Samarth Police Station.
According to police, the complainant has been working as a conductor with PMPML since 2018 and was posted at the Pune Station depot. During her tenure, Sunil Bhalekar allegedly started harassing her by stalking and following her. Distressed by his actions, the woman initially lodged a complaint at Bund Garden Police Station. Following this, Bhalekar allegedly threatened her to withdraw the complaint, abused her, and even assaulted her. PMPML conducted an internal inquiry into the matter, after which Bhalekar was transferred to Narveer Tanajiwadi Depot.
Following this incident, the woman alleged that depot manager Sanjay Kusalakar also harassed her. She submitted a complaint against him at Bund Garden Police Station. During the investigation, she was summoned to the police station for questioning, accompanied by two friends. After the inquiry, the woman went to a restaurant in Somwar Peth with her friends for breakfast. Shockingly, Bhalekar showed up there again, threatened her, and behaved obscenely. He also questioned her about filing a complaint against Kusalakar and intimidated her.
The woman once again lodged a police complaint and also approached the State Women’s Commission regarding the harassment.
Amidst the ongoing complaints, Kusalakar allegedly suspended the female conductor. Anguished over the authorities’ inaction, the woman attempted suicide by pouring kerosene on herself inside the depot manager’s cabin. Fortunately, she was stopped in time, preventing a tragedy.
Subsequently, the woman filed a formal complaint against Bhalekar and Kusalakar, leading to a case being registered against both at Samarth Police Station. The police are currently investigating the matter.
