Man Lures Woman to Train's AC Cabin, Rapes Her

Vijayawada: A man posing as a railway official allegedly lured a woman to a cabin in an AC coach and raped her on the Visakha Express while the train was heading towards Vijayawada Junction on the night of April 26.

Police identified the accused as coach attendant Sourav Bagdhi, a native of Odisha. He was reportedly taken into custody for questioning.

The victim and her husband, natives of Rentachintala village in Palnadu district, had been living in Visakhapatnam for some time. On April 26, at about 4 pm, the couple boarded the Visakha Express (17015) at Visakhapatnam railway station to travel to Nadikudi. They did not have reserved berths.

At about 11.45 pm, while the train was on its way to Vijayawada Junction, the accused allegedly approached the couple, who were sitting near the washrooms in an unreserved compartment, and claimed to be in charge of the H1 coach. Speaking in Hindi, he reportedly told them that one vacant berth was available in an AC cabin and offered it to them.

Trusting his words, the woman accompanied him to the cabin while her husband remained seated in the compartment.

Police said the accused took her into the AC cabin, shut the door and raped her despite her resistance.

After reaching home, the woman informed her family members about the incident. On their advice, she approached Rentachintala police station and lodged a complaint on the evening of April 28.

Police registered a zero FIR, which is to be forwarded to the Government Railway Police in Vijayawada for further investigation and action. A railway police official in Vijayawada said, “Once we receive the FIR, we will take up an investigation.”

Meanwhile, AP Women’s Commission chairperson Rayapati Sailaja made a video call to the victim on Wednesday and enquired about the incident. She assured her that efforts would be made to ensure justice by apprehending the accused and securing punishment for him.