History-sheeter Hemanthraj convicted for pushing pregnant woman off a train in February

Quick Summary:

• Tirupattur District and Sessions Judge S. Meenakumari convicted K. Hemanthraj for pushing a pregnant woman off a moving train near Katpadi in February 2025 after she resisted his attempt to sexually assault her.
• The sentence will be pronounced on Monday, July 14, 2025.
• Public Prosecutor P.T. Saravanan stated that Hemanthraj was booked under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and is currently lodged at vellore Central Prison.
• The incident happened on February 6, when the victim-a pregnant woman traveling alone in a ladies compartment-was attacked by Hemanthraj during her journey to visit her mother.
• Police reports state that the victim sustained severe injuries including a fractured hand before falling unconscious after being pushed out of the moving train; she was rescued by railway workers and hospitalized at Vellore Government Medical College Hospital.
• Hemanthraj has a criminal history, having been previously jailed for murdering a woman in Chennai in April 2024 and facing another case from 2022 for pushing another commuter off a moving train during a robbery attempt.
• He has also been detained under the Goondas Act twice.

Indian Opinion Analysis:

The conviction of K. Hemanthraj brings focus to challenges surrounding passenger safety on Indian Railways, especially given his history of violent offenses targeting women commuters. While authorities need recognition for securing this conviction through extensive witness examinations-22 were reportedly involved-the recurring nature of crimes committed by individuals such as Hemanthraj indicates gaps in surveillance systems within rail spaces and proper rehabilitation measures post-incarceration.

Equally concerning is how conditional bail facilitated his recent crimes despite past convictions involving murder and robbery attempts. It highlights systemic inefficiencies regarding bail protocols for repeat offenders with violent histories-an area where judicial reforms could significantly enhance public safety.

The survivor’s courage in resisting while enduring physical injuries underscores societal vulnerabilities faced by women travelers within insufficiently monitored compartments or trains overall-a factor deserving urgent railway infrastructure upgrades like CCTV installations and improved policing strategies across all routes to mitigate risk situations like these effectively.

Read more: Published – July 11, 2025