On Humsafar Express train between Lucknow and Kanpur, a 34-year-old railway contract labourer was beaten to death by passengers after he was accused of sexually assaulting an 11-year-old girl, police said on Friday. The deceased was identified as Bihar native Prashant Kumar.
After the incident on Tuesday night, he was caught by other passengers and the victim’s family. Along with the victim’s family, Kumar had boarded the Humsafar Express from Siwan, Bihar, Additional DG (Railway) Prakash D informed on Friday.
While her mother was out, he allegedly offered the 11-year-old girl his berth and sexually assaulted her. After the girl told her mother about the incident, her mother told the other passengers as well as her family. Enraged by the sexual assault, the victim’s family and passengers thrashed Kumar.
He was taken into custody by the GRP at Kanpur Central station. The officer stated that Kumar was taken to KPM Hospital by the GRP due to his declining health, and there he was declared dead.
In accordance with sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita’s section 74 (criminal force to any woman aiming to insult her modesty), the victim’s mother has filed a formal complaint against Kumar, according to the ADG. He said that GRP Lucknow has received the FIR for additional investigation.
Following a post-mortem examination by a group of three doctors in Kanpur, the body was given to Kumar’s family so they could transfer it to Siwan, Bihar, for last rites.
(with PTI inputs)