Copyright thehindu
The Varkala police have arrested Suresh Kumar, a handyman hailing from Thiruvananthapuram, on the charge of pushing out a 19-year-old commuter, Sreekutty, from a moving train near Varkala late Sunday. Ms Sreekutty, who suffered serious cranial and thoracic injuries in the fall, is battling for her life at the Government Medical College Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram. Health Minister Veena George has constituted a medical board to treat Sreekutty. The crime, which caused a public outcry, occurred on board the Kerala Express heading to Thiruvananthapuram. According to the police, Suresh Kumar boarded the train in Kottayam. He had gone there for painting work and was returning home after inspecting the site. They said Suresh Kumar had a history of violence and petty crime, including several run-ins with friends and neighbours. Sreekutty and Archana were travelling home from Aluva. They said Sreekutty was waiting near the door for Archana to return from the toilet when the fracas occurred. Suresh Kumar insisted that she move aside for him. The police said Suresh Kumar struck Sreekutty on the back with his foot, propelling her out of the running train. In a court filing, the police said the accused grappled with Archana and tried to eject her from the moving train, possibly to ensure there were no witnesses to the crime. Archana’s loud cries alerted fellow passengers, who pulled the alarm chain. The train ground to a halt and soon local police and railway protection force members scoured the tracks and located an unconscious Sreekutty in the undergrowth. Archana was also injured in the melee. The police said Suresh Kumar tried to slink away from the scene, but passengers detained him based on Archana’s statement. Officials recorded the statements of three other passengers who were at the scene. They termed the offence an alcohol-impaired felony. The police told the court that a medical examination revealed a high level of blood alcohol concentration. Officials suspect the accused had secretly consumed alcohol on board the train. The Southern Railway termed the incident a one-off event and said passenger safety was paramount for the public utility. The Kerala State Human Rights Commission and Kerala Women’s Commission have taken cognisance of the incident.
