Ahmedabad: The city police have arrested a 55-year-old school rickshaw driver, identified as Rajkumar Abhimanyu Rajput, for allegedly sexually exploiting minor children who traveled in his vehicle. The case has been registered at Ramol Police Station after parents raised serious suspicions about the driver’s behavior.

According to police, the accused had been ferrying children from various schools in the Ramol–Vastral area for nearly 22 years. The rickshaw services were hired privately by parents, without any direct involvement of school authorities.

Modus Operandi: The ‘Game’ Using a Cloth Bag

The investigation revealed that the driver had tied a cloth pouch resembling a cleaning rag on the front handle of his rickshaw. He had secretly made a hole in the pouch and kept chocolates and small balls inside it.

Whenever he found an opportunity during school pick-up or drop-off, he would call children seated at the back to the front under the pretext of playing a “game.” Police said he lured them with chocolates or small amounts of money, coaxing them to sit close to him or on his lap. During this interaction, he allegedly made them touch his private parts through the pouch.

How the Crime Came to Light

The victims, mostly girls and boys below 12 years of age, occasionally discussed the incidents among themselves. Some parents overheard these conversations and found them suspicious. When parents of multiple children interacted, they collectively realized there might be misconduct involved. They immediately informed the police, prompting an inquiry.

During questioning, the driver’s behavior appeared suspicious, leading to a formal FIR.

Police have so far recorded statements of five minor children. Initial findings suggest that the children had been riding in the rickshaw for the past four months, during which the accused repeatedly exploited them.

The rickshaw driver normally transported 10 to 14 schoolchildren at a time, and investigators believe more victims may now come forward as the probe progresses.

Authorities are also checking whether the accused targeted students from previous years or from other schools where he had worked. Police have assured that statements of all concerned parents and children will be recorded, and strict action will be taken based on the findings. DeshGujarat