BHOPAL: A 14-year-old dalit girl was gang-raped by five people inside a moving bus and then flung out of the vehicle in Singrauli district on Sunday in a shocking re-run of Delhi's Nirbhaya tragedy that shook the conscience of the nation. The bus driver also joined in the monstrous act. Also, the rear wheels of the bus missed her by inches as she lay bleeding and unconscious on a dirt road in Nalhatani village, 15 km from the district headquarters.

Hours later, villagers picked her up and took her to district hospital after informing the police. She narrated the ordeal to police after gaining consciousness.

Police said the survivor had gone to meet her aunt at district's Waiden village. Later, when she was waiting for conveyance to return home, she was offered a lift by the driver of a bus operated by Siddiqui Travels. This bus was hired by a local businessman for a wedding ceremony and it was heading towards the venue to pick guests.

There were around five people inside the bus, including its driver and two cleaners. As soon as the girl boarded the bus, they began molesting her.

She screamed for help, but the windows were shut. They stopped the bus near a desolate area and dragged the girl inside forest. She was sexually assaulted again, police said, quoting the victim. She said they dragged her back to the bus and then pushed her off the moving bus. The girl suffered serious head injuries.

Police said her medical examination report is awaited. Her parents were also informed about the incident. A case has been registered under different sections, including Protection Of Children Against Sexual Offences Act. The accused have been detained, but police refused to confirm that she was raped inside the bus.

