Police want to draw character sketch of molester ‘bus uncle’

Malad Police will approach parents of 13 children who were also on the bus on which a three-year-old girl was inappropriately touched by cleaner Sandeep Mandale (24).

The cleaner was arrested on February 21 after father of the girl reported the misconduct to the school, which alerted police. He has allegedly confessed.

Police want parents of the 13 children to help them sketch "character of the bus uncle", inspector Rajaram Prabhu said.

They will question the children with the help of parents and the school.

"We are asking them (the parents) to check if the cleaner misbehaved with their children as well," Prabhu said.

The three-year-old had claimed 'bus uncle' kissed her on the lips.

Mandale denied the allegation but allegedly admitted he touched the girl inappropriately.

Police have booked him under Protection of Children from Sexual Offence Act, 2012, and IPC.

The school has, meanwhile, dismissed the cleaner and a woman bus attendant.

"Our lawyer will support the father in court proceedings," said a spokesperson for the school.

Police said the three-year-old, who has been questioned by her parents, school management and police, was scared and had stopped speaking,

"We have recorded the time of the act to be around 9 am based on details given by other kids present on the bus. Some say he (the cleaner) did kiss the three-year-old while helping her to alight from the vehicle," said Prabhu.

Mandale was remanded in judicial custody Tuesday by Borivali Magistrate Court. Police said the attendant was not cooperating in the investigation. "She denies having seen anything," an officer said.

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