A pregnant woman was allegedly raped on board a moving train in India after she found herself alone in a carriage with a man accused of attacking her. The woman, who is around two months pregnant according to her husband, was travelling home to Alipurduar district in West Bengal after visiting her cousin in Delhi.
Attack on Sikkim Mahananda Express
Police said she had boarded the Sikkim Mahananda Express and was travelling in a coach reserved for passengers with disabilities. The alleged attack happened on Thursday night after the train left a station in northern West Bengal.
According to police, the coach was empty except for the woman and the suspect, who allegedly took advantage of the situation and attacked her as the train continued its journey.
Workers heard cries for help
Her cries for help were reportedly heard by railway electrical workers travelling in the next carriage. The workers then alerted authorities using the Rail Madad app. This allowed the Government Railway Police (GRP) and Railway Protection Force (RPF) officers to arrest 30-year-old Gautam Mahato in connection with the alleged attack.
Investigation and recovery
Investigators said he had boarded the train earlier in the journey. A preliminary investigation found he had left Assam after flooding in the state. The woman was taken to a railway hospital for treatment following the alleged attack. A senior Government Railway Police officer said she is recovering well.
