School bus hits girl & drags her for 25m, driver on run

Ghaziabad: A nine-year-old schoolgirl suffered critical injuries when a DPS Indirapuram bus driver hit and dragged her for around 25m before coming to a halt after intervention from passersby and locals in Niti Khand 2 on Jan 27. The driver fled the spot.
An FIR was registered against him on Sunday, police said. The girl's recuperation — with two surgeries having been performed on her — continues in GTB Hospital.
DPS Indirapuram told TOI the driver was not a staff member and the buses are operated by a third party. Jafreen is a resident of a slum in Indirapuram. Her father Afsar, a security guard at a housing society, said his daughter was returning home with chips and chocolates when the school bus (UP 24 GT 7212) being driven recklessly hit her near Eros Mall.
"My daughter was dragged a long distance. Locals stopped the bus, but the driver escaped after leaving it. When Jafreen was crossing the road, she saw the speeding bus coming. She stood adjacent to the divider. Despite this, the bus hit and dragged her. I reached the spot immediately after receiving a call. With the help of locals and police, I rushed her to a nearby hospital. Later, she was referred to GTB Hospital. I was busy with my daughter's treatment. That's why I filed a complaint on Feb 1," he said.
He also said Jafreen's right leg was severely injured, causing profuse bleeding, necessitating two surgeries on the same day. "Doctors also informed us of a serious head injury that might require brain surgery," Afsar added.
Abhishek Srivastava, ACP (Indirapuram), said the FIR was registered against the school bus driver, who is yet to be identified, under BNS sections 281 (rash driving) and 125 (b) (causing grievous hurt). "A team has been formed to track and nab the driver. We have taken details of the accused from the school," the ACP said and confirmed that the bus belongs to DPS Indirapuram.
A school spokesperson said the bus contractor is helping the family with expenses of the girl's treatment.