NCW seeks reports over rape victim death

Kochi, Feb 7 (PTI) The NCW has sought reports from theRailways and the Kerala government on the alleged rape andsubsequent death of a woman who was pushed out of a runningtrain.

National Commission for Women chairperson Girija Vyashas sought the reports and termed the incident as"unfortunate", NCW sources said.

The 23-year-old victim succumbed to multiple injuriesyesterday after battling for life for five days.

Kerala women''s commission chief Justice D Sreedevisaid it is necessary to ensure that perpetrators of suchcrimes get capital punishment and called for relevantamendments to law in this regard.

Alleging that the incident was the result of theRailways'' "carelessness", she said the Commission had earlierrequested them to position the ladies compartment in themiddle, but it was in vain.

Meanwhile, the woman was cremated at the Ivor Madom atPambady, on the banks of Bhrathapuzha today, after a largenumber of people poured into her home town to pay respects.

Her friends and co workers of a Kochi company alsotearfully paid respects to their colleague.

The victim was attacked and pushed out when she wastravelling in the ladies compartment of a local train fromErnakulam to Shornur and raped on the rail tracks by a manhailing from Tamil Nadu.

The accused, arrested on the same night itself, hasbeen charged under section 307 (attempt to murder) and 376(Rape) and 302 (murder).

The victim, hailing from a poor family, was the onlyearning member and was returning home in connection with amarriage proposal.