The Punalur police on Saturday arrested a 40-year-old man for allegedly sexually assaulting a six-year-old girl on board the Palaruvi Express.
The accused, identified as Sanish, a native of Kollam, was apprehended by the police following the timely intervention of a passenger. According to authorities, Sanish is a repeat offender with a prior criminal record, including a history of attempted murder.
The incident took place in the early hours of Thursday when the victim and her family were traveling in a general compartment. The child was part of a family from Tamil Nadu returning home after completing a pilgrimage in Kerala. The girl was sleeping on the floor next to her grandfather when the accused picked her up and took her to another compartment to commit the robbery.
A vigilant woman sitting nearby discovered the crime. When she noticed the suspicious activity, she managed to record a video of the incident on her phone and immediately turned the evidence over to authorities, helping the police intercept the train and take the suspect into custody.
Published – 09 May 2026 21:59 IST
