A 14-year-old schoolgirl was raped by a car driver at Songadh taluka in Tapi district on Monday. The police have arrested the main accused — who is an employee of a catering firm owned by the victim’s father — and two others.

According to the police, Jesia Bharwad (24) of Navagam in Songadh taluka, was working as a car driver in the catering firm. On Monday night, Jesia took his boss’ daughter out on his motorcycle after informing her mother.

The girl was taken to Gaumukh village, 15 kilometres from the town. There, Jesia’s accomplices Bhavan Bharwad (also his uncle) and Zakir Naik were waiting. Jesia took her deep into the forest and allegedly raped her. She was also forced to consume alcohol, the police said. But when the other two tried to rape her, the girl retaliated, forcing them to retreat.

Later, Jesia took her home. On the way near Dasera colony in Songadh, the police stopped them and inquired about the girl. Jesia told the police that the girl had come to his house to watch a movie and that he was going to drop her home.

Once home, the girl told her mother about the incident. She later lodged a complaint with the Songadh police station against Jesia, Bhavan and Zakir. The police arrested the accused.

The girl was brought to the New Civil Hospital in Surat for medical examination on Tuesday morning amid heavy police bandobast.

Tapi Superintendent of Police Prabhat Patel said: “We have arrested the three accused. Jesia was working in the firm for the last three years and used to drop the girl to school everyday.”