The Railway Police arrested a contract employee of the Indian Railways on Saturday in connection with the sexual assault of a 30-year-old female traveler from the United Kingdom aboard the Hampi Express. The accused, pretending to assist, took her near the toilet sink, allegedly forcing her to lie down on a vacant berth while closing the curtains. With no passengers nearby, he reportedly massaged her stomach and proceeded to touch her private parts.
The incident occurred between Hosapete and Bengaluru on Wednesday. Taking advantage of the victim’s illness, the accused offered assistance and proceeded to sexually assault her, as reported by the police.
Despite the shock and exhaustion from the ordeal, the victim reached her booked hotel and informed a friend over the phone before approaching the police. Responding promptly to the complaint on Thursday, the city Railway Police identified and arrested the accused, Basavaraj, 22, from Bagalkot, responsible for bed rolling on the train. He faces charges under section 354A (engaging in unwelcome and explicit sexual behavior, demanding sexual favors) of the IPC. However, he was subsequently released on bail by the court, and the Railways suspended him.
In her complaint, the victim, on a tourist visa in India, detailed her travels in Kerala and Tamil Nadu before heading to Hampi. She boarded the Hampi Express on Wednesday night for her return journey. Due to an upset stomach, she couldn’t climb the upper berth and sought a berth exchange from a co-passenger. The ordeal began an hour after leaving Hosapete, as she developed severe stomach pain.
The victim resisted his advances, but due to her weakened state, she couldn’t effectively push him away. The accused allegedly continued to assault and harass her from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. Eventually, she managed to return to her seat, and the accused left the scene.