Passenger’s Alertness and Prompt Police Action Lead to Capture of Accused in Sexual Assault Case
KOLLAM / PUNALUR – In a swift and commendable operation, the Kerala Police have arrested a 40-year-old man for the alleged kidnapping and sexual assault of a five-year-old girl aboard the Palaruvi Express. The arrest was made possible by the alertness of a fellow passenger who filmed the act, providing crucial evidence that eventually led to the suspect’s detention.
The accused, identified as Sanish, a native of Kollam, was produced before a court in Punalur on Saturday and has been remanded to 14 days of judicial custody in the Kottarakkara Sub Jail.
The Incident: Terror on the Tracks
The harrowing incident occurred in the early hours of May 7, around 1:30 AM, while the train was traversing the Thenmala railway limits in Kerala. The victim, a five-year-old native of Tenkasi, Tamil Nadu, was traveling with a 30-member pilgrimage group returning from the Edathua Church.
While the child was sleeping on the floor of a general compartment next to her grandfather, the accused allegedly moved her to a secluded spot within the moving train to commit the assault. The crime was witnessed by a woman passenger who had the presence of mind to record the incident on her phone before alerting others in the coach.
A Complex Pursuit of Justice
The case initially faced a hurdle when the train reached Sengottai in Tamil Nadu. Although passengers had detained Sanish and handed him over to the local authorities, the victim’s family—reportedly overwhelmed and hesitant—declined to file a formal complaint at the time. Consequently, the suspect was initially released.
However, the Punalur Railway Police refused to let the matter rest. Upon reviewing the video footage provided by the witness and confirming the crime occurred within Kerala’s jurisdiction, an investigation was launched. A woman police officer was dispatched to Tenkasi to meet the family, eventually persuading them to provide a formal statement and pursue justice.
Legal Action and Charges
Following the formal complaint, Kerala Police tracked Sanish to Kollam using CCTV surveillance and railway patrolling data. He was apprehended at approximately 1:30 PM on the same day.
The accused faces severe charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The charges include:
- Kidnapping
- Sexual Assault
- Aggravated Penetrative Sexual Assault
