Pune: In a new development regarding the shocking case of sexual abuse of a six-year-old schoolgirl by a van driver in Pune, nine individuals, including key members of the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA), have been booked for vandalizing a vehicle seized by police.

The incident occurred following a heated protest against the crime, where activists resorted to damaging property in a display of anger and frustration.

The six-year-old victim was reportedly sexually assaulted by Sanjay Jetting Reddy, a 45-year-old van driver from Vaidhuwadi, Hadapsar. Reddy was arrested by the Wanwadi Police after the incident came to light.

The police quickly seized the van involved in the crime and moved it to a secure location for further investigation.

However, the situation escalated when activists from the VBA, led by Vishal Kasabe, Dharmaji Yadav Langde, Milind Haridas Sarvade, Vishal Vanjari, and Sachin Bhadkawad, gathered to protest the assault.

Chanting slogans and demanding justice for the victim, the group resorted to violence and vandalized the seized vehicle by throwing stones at it. The damage to the vehicle prompted authorities to register a case against the involved activists.

The complaint was lodged by Constable Jotiba Kurale of Wanawadi Police Station at Hadapsar Police Station. The police have now initiated an investigation into the vandalism, while continuing their probe into the original assault case.