Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Unveils Financial Support for Assault Victim
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Synopsis
Tamil Nadu's CM, M.K. Stalin, has declared financial assistance for a pregnant woman who was violently pushed from a train during a sexual assault attempt. The state will also cover her medical costs as outrage grows over rising sexual violence incidents.
Key Takeaways
- Financial aid of Rs 3 lakh announced for the victim.
- The state government will cover her medical expenses.
- Suspect arrested within 12 hours using CCTV evidence.
- Incident has led to widespread public outrage.
- Ongoing issues with sexual assaults in Tamil Nadu.
Chennai, Feb 9 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M.K. Stalin, announced a financial support package of Rs 3 lakh for a pregnant woman who was forcibly pushed off a moving train near Katpadi by a 27-year-old man after she fought back against his sexual assault attempt.
Additionally, he stated that the state would cover her medical expenses.
The 36-year-old victim, residing in Tirupur, had boarded the ladies’ compartment of the Tirupati-bound Intercity Express from Tirupur station. After most passengers disembarked at Jolarpettai, she found herself alone when the suspect, who has a known criminal history, entered her compartment.
Upon his advances, she tried to flee towards the restroom. In a fit of rage, he pushed her out of the moving train. She suffered multiple fractures in her arm and leg and was rescued by bystanders who transported her to the Government Medical College Hospital in Vellore.
Sadly, on Saturday, she lost her baby due to her injuries. Senior officials from the Chennai Division of Southern Railway made a visit to the hospital, providing her with an ex gratia payment of Rs 50,000. The alleged perpetrator, identified as Hemaraj from Pooncholai village, was apprehended within 12 hours of the incident, thanks to CCTV footage.
Police investigations uncovered that he was already wanted by the Katpadi railway police for a robbery and had pending cases for murder and rape at the Gudiyatham city police station.
This incident has sparked heightened criticism against the state government, with the opposition directly targeting Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, who also heads the home department.
Public outrage is escalating amid a troubling series of sexual assault incidents in Tamil Nadu. In a related case, Salem Police detained a government school teacher in Yercaud for the sexual abuse of 10 female students. The accused, Ilayakannu (37), taught science to classes 10 and 12 and was charged under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act.
The abuse was exposed when one victim reported it to the school’s headmistress, prompting immediate action from the education department and the District Child Protection Unit. An inquiry team then conducted investigations with the students.
Initial inquiries validated the abuse of 10 students by the teacher. Following a complaint from the District Child Protection Unit, the Kondalampatti All Women’s Police Station registered a case under the POCSO Act and apprehended the suspect.
Furthermore, just days prior, three teachers at a government school were arrested for sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl at Panchayat Union Middle School in Bargur, Krishnagiri district. This crime, which took place in January, only came to light on February 3 when educators visited the girl’s home to investigate her prolonged absence.
