Accused in passenger train rape case arrested from Palakkad

Thrissur (Ker), Feb 4 (PTI) One person was arrested inconnection with the alleged rape of a 23-year-old womanpassenger of a local train, who was seriously injured in theincident and continues to battle for her life.

Govindaswamy, a hardened criminal hailing from Cuddalorein Tamil Nadu had admitted to the crime. He has been chargedunder IPC sections 307 (attempt to murder) and 326(voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons ormeans), police said.

The accused, who does not have the left arm, was takeninto custody from Palakkad district in Kerala, they said.

The woman was pushed out of train by the accused after sheresisted his attempt to snatch her bag. He also jumped out ofthe Ernakulam-Shornur passenger train, along with her andraped the severely injured woman.

Meanwhile, Thrissur Medical College HospitalSuperintendent, V K Mohanan said the woman''s condition showedno signs of improvement and she was still on the ventilator.

The woman, working in a private firm in Kochi, wastravelling by the ladies compartment of the train on Tuesdaynight when the incident took place. She was returning home fora marriage proposal. The train was deserted after it leftThrissur station.

She was found on the tracks between Vallatholnagar andShornur stations with serious injuries. She had head injuries,a fractured skull and bleeding in the brain.