A female passenger traveling on the Nilambur-Kochuveli Rajya Rani Express in Kerala was allegedly sexually harassed by a railway ticket examiner on Tuesday. According to a Kottayam Railway Police officer, the incident occurred after the train passed Aluva station. The accused was arrested on Tuesday at Kottayam railway station.
The woman, who was traveling with an RAC ticket in the S-4 coach, claimed that the ticket examiner sat beside her and held her hand tightly despite her objections. She immediately called the Railway control room in Thiruvananthapuram, which in turn informed the Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel on board the train to investigate.
The RPF personnel spoke to both the woman and the 35-year-old ticket examiner and then took him into custody. The ticket examiner’s medical examination was conducted, which revealed that he had consumed alcohol prior to the incident. Based on the medical report, the RPF personnel’s statement, and the woman’s complaint, the ticket examiner was arrested and presented before a court. He was remanded to 14 days judicial custody.
This incident highlights the importance of taking immediate action against any form of sexual harassment. The prompt response of the Railway control room in Thiruvananthapuram and the Railway Protection Force personnel on board the train is commendable. It is important for authorities to take strict action against perpetrators of sexual harassment to send a message that such behavior will not be tolerated. The arrest of the accused and his subsequent remand to judicial custody will hopefully serve as a deterrent to others who may contemplate such behavior.