In another alarming incident that underscores the increasing sexual assaults on women in Karnataka, the Manipal Police swiftly arrested a 22-year-old man from Bhatkal within 24 hours of the attempted rape of a young Hindu woman aboard a train. The accused, identified as Mohammed Shuraim, was apprehended following a thorough investigation, highlighting the growing concerns about women’s safety in public spaces.
The incident occurred on the morning of August 25 when a young woman from Manipal, Udupi, now working for an IT company in Bengaluru, was travelling to Udupi for the Krishna Janmashtami celebrations. Her journey, which began on Saturday night, took a terrifying turn as Shuraim, a fellow passenger on the Murdeshwar Express, started behaving inappropriately as the train neared its destination.
According to the police, the assault happened just half an hour before the train arrived in Udupi. Shuraim attempted to rape the woman, but she resisted and immediately raised an alarm. Realizing the severity of his actions, the accused quickly apologized, but the woman did not hesitate to report the incident. She informed the Udupi Railway Police and complained about the Railway Madad app, which played a crucial role in the swift response.
The police faced the challenging task of identifying the suspect among the many passengers on the train. With over a thousand people travelling on the Murdeshwar Express that weekend, the investigation was complex. However, the Manipal Police, through a meticulous three-stage process, managed to narrow down the list of suspects.
First, they gathered details of all passengers from that night. Then, using clues from the victim, they created a shortlist of suspects. The breakthrough came when they discovered that the accused had disembarked at Bhatkal, leading them to review CCTV footage from the station and cross-reference it with passenger records. This careful investigation resulted in Shuraim’s arrest at his home in Bhatkal, bringing relief to the victim and her family.
This incident reflects a disturbing trend in Karnataka, where sexual assaults against women are rising. Despite efforts by law enforcement and public safety campaigns, women continue to face serious threats to their safety in public spaces like trains, buses, and streets. The attempted rape on the Murdeshwar Express serves as a grim reminder of the dangers women still encounter, regardless of time or place.
