A tragic incident near Katpadi has resulted in a pregnant woman losing her unborn child after being pushed off a moving train during an attempted sexual assault. The victim, who was four months pregnant, sustained severe injuries from the fall.
The attack occurred on Thursday, allegedly perpetrated by 31-year-old Hemanthraj, who has a criminal background. He was apprehended by the Government Railway Police in Jolarpet the following day.
Vellore Collector V.R. Subbulaxmi confirmed the miscarriage, stating that the woman was in her second trimester at the time of the incident. She suffered multiple fractures and required extensive medical treatment, including over 20 stitches on her head. She was later admitted to the orthopaedics ICU for continuous monitoring. Unfortunately, a routine scan revealed the baby’s heartbeat had ceased, which doctors attributed to the trauma experienced by the mother. Fortunately, her vital signs remain stable, according to the Collector, who pledged ongoing support.
Compensation Provided
In response to the ordeal, officials from the Chennai Division of Southern Railway presented an ex gratia payment of ₹50,000 to the survivor while she was hospitalized. The additional divisional railway manager and senior medical officials were present during the compensation handover, assuring the victim of comprehensive assistance moving forward.
Criminal Background of the Suspect
Hemanthraj is a suspect in the murder of a 33-year-old woman in Chennai in 2024 and was out on conditional bail at the time of this latest incident. According to police reports, he had a longstanding acquaintance with the victim, V. Deepa, who lived in Pulianthope.
Deepa had been pressing Hemanthraj to marry her, a request he continually evaded, leading to frequent conflicts between the two. On April 14, she left home under the pretense of visiting a friend, but her family lost contact with her shortly after.
Murder Confession
Following a complaint from Deepa’s family, authorities traced her last known location to Gudiyatham. Upon discovering that she had contacted Hemanthraj before her disappearance, police brought him in for questioning, during which he reportedly confessed to killing her during a confrontation over marriage. The police subsequently recovered her remains and personal belongings from the crime scene.
Legal Proceedings
Hemanthraj was on trial in Vellore’s Sessions Court, where undertrial detainees can be held for a maximum of 90 days before becoming eligible for conditional bail. He secured his release through bail from the Madras High Court months prior. Authorities are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding his bail, given his criminal history.
Published – February 09, 2025 01:03 am IST
