A 20-year-old pregnant woman was allegedly raped inside a disabled-access carriage on a moving train in West Bengal, India, while travelling home from Delhi. Police have arrested a man over the alleged attack, which is said to have happened aboard the Mahananda Express as it travelled towards Alipurduar.
Incident details
The woman, from the Kalchini area of Alipurduar district, was reportedly travelling home to Bengal when she was allegedly attacked inside a carriage reserved for passengers with disabilities. The carriage was said to be largely empty at the time of the alleged assault.
Railway workers in a neighbouring carriage reportedly heard the woman screaming as the train approached Hasimara. They alerted the railway helpline, prompting police to prepare for the train's arrival at Alipurduar station.
Arrest and charges
Officers were waiting at the station and took a man into custody when the train pulled in. The woman had also managed to call her husband during the journey and tell him what had allegedly happened. He rushed to the station as she was brought to safety following the reported attack.
Police have named the arrested man as Gautam Mahato, who is from Rangia in the neighbouring state of Assam. He has been charged with rape following a complaint made by the woman.
Investigation ongoing
GRP Superintendent of Police Indrabadan Jha said railway electrical staff working near the carriage first heard the woman's cries as the train approached Hasimara. He said: "The woman was rescued. Based on the woman's complaint, the accused has been arrested, and a case of rape has been registered."
Mahato appeared before a court, which remanded him to five days in police custody while the investigation continues. Police are now gathering statements from witnesses and examining the circumstances surrounding the alleged attack on the train.
