Despite travelling in the women’s compartment of the Tirupati Intercity Express, she was sexually harassed and was pushed out of the train near KV Kuppam in the Vellore district — raising serious concerns about women’s safety in the state.
Published Feb 07, 2025 | 3:08 PM ⚊ Updated Feb 07, 2025 | 3:08 PM
Sexual assault. Representational Image. (iStock)
Synopsis: A man sexually harassed a pregnant woman and pushed her off from a moving train in Tamil Nadu. The accused has been arrested. The NCW has sought a report on the incident from the DGP.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) on Friday, 7 February, condemned the brutal sexual harassment of a pregnant woman on a moving train in Jolarpettai of Tirupattur district of Tamil Nadu on Thursday.
Despite travelling in the women’s compartment of the Tirupati Intercity Express, she was sexually harassed and was pushed out of the train near KV Kuppam in the Vellore district — raising serious concerns about women’s safety in the state.
Under the directions of NCW Chairperson Vijaya Kishore Rahatkar, the Commission has taken suo motu cognizance of the incident and sent a letter to the Tamil Nadu Director General of Police (DGP).
The NCW chief urged immediate arrest of the accused, under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and free medical treatment for the victim. She has also asked the DGP to submit a detailed report, including the FIR copy, within three days.
A man sexually harassed the pregnant woman and when she screamed for help, one of the accused, identified as Hemaraj, pushed her off the moving train. She sustained fractures in her hands and legs due to the fall.
Following the incident, railway police took swift action and arrested the accused. Further investigation is underway. The survivor said that Hemaraj boarded the ladies’ coach at Jolarpettai.
“Upon realising that I was alone, he removed his clothes and attempted to assault me. When I screamed and fought back, he angrily grabbed my hair and pushed me off the train,” she stated. She is now undergoing treatment at the District Government Hospital in Vellore.
Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Assembly Edappadi K Palaniswami slammed the state government over the issue.
“It is of utter shame that women in Tamil Nadu cannot walk safely on the road; cannot go to school, colleges, or workplaces; and now cannot even travel by train. @mkstalin The continuation of such atrocities is an extension of the DMK government’s failure to pay even the slightest attention to the safety of women,” Palaniswami said.
“She was sexually harassed, even while she was pregnant. I urge that strict legal action be taken against these perverted and devious people,” he added.
கோவை-திருப்பதி இடையே சென்றுக்கொண்டிருந்த ரயிலில்,
கர்ப்பிணி பெண்ணுக்கு இருவர் பாலியல் தொல்லை அளித்ததோடு, அந்த பெண் கூச்சலிட முயற்சி செய்ததால் ரயிலில் இருந்து கீழே தள்ளிவிட்டதாக வரும் செய்தி பெரும் அதிர்ச்சியளிக்கிறது.தமிழ்நாட்டில் பெண்கள் பாதுகாப்பாக சாலையில் நடந்து செல்ல… pic.twitter.com/SNLMjXkPxm
— Edappadi K Palaniswami – Say No To Drugs & DMK (@EPSTamilNadu) February 7, 2025
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil with inputs from Subash Chandra Bose.)
