Thiruvananthapuram: Railway Police arrested Suresh Kumar, a resident of Panachamoodu, for allegedly pushing a 19-year-old woman off a moving train near Varkala. He was caught at Kochuveli station shortly after the incident. Police said Kumar had entered the general compartment of the Kerala Express, heading towards Thiruvananthapuram, in an intoxicated state and created a disturbance before the attack.

Victim sustains severe injuries

The victim, Sreekutty, a resident of Palode in Thiruvananthapuram, was thrown from the train near Varkala Ayanthi. She suffered severe head and limb injuries and was first taken to Varkala hospital before being shifted to Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital. She is currently receiving treatment in the Multi-Specialty ICU, where doctors say her condition is stable.

Medical staff confirmed that she suffered significant head trauma from the impact of the fall. The Railway Protection Force (RPF) also stated that her overall health condition is satisfactory.

Another woman targeted but escaped

Another woman in the same compartment was also attacked. The accused allegedly grabbed her by the hand and leg and partially pushed her out, but she managed to hold on to the door and escape a fall.

Eyewitnesses said the assault happened when one of the women stepped out of the train’s bathroom. The accused allegedly kicked one woman in the back, causing her to fall from the moving train.

“I held on to the door and managed not to fall. The attack was unprovoked,” a co-passenger recalled.

Passengers restrained accused and alerted police

Alert passengers overpowered Suresh Kumar after the assault and handed him over to the Railway Police at Kochuveli. Officers said the accused appeared to be drunk during the incident.

He was later taken to Fort Hospital for a medical examination. During questioning, Kumar denied the charges and made contradictory statements, claiming that an “inter-state worker” was responsible for the attack. He also tried to discredit victim, alleging that she was “mad” and lying about the incident.

Investigation underway

Police have launched a detailed investigation into the case. Eyewitness accounts and CCTV footage from the train and nearby stations are being examined to establish the full sequence of events and verify the suspect’s claims.