Youth arrested for molesting tourist

Kolkata: A 31-year-old youth was arrested on Monday for allegedly molesting a French tourist on board Howrah-Jamalpur Express, during her friend to visit Kolkata.

The incident took place in a coach when the train was passing through Pakur in Jharkhand.

The accused, identified as Mohammed Arshad Hussain, was caught by the railway protection force jawans who kept him under detention at the train.

He was later handed over to the government railway police (GRP) personnel after reaching the Burdwan railway station at around 4.30 am on Monday.

Arshad, who was booked on molestation charges under the Indian Penal Code, was produced at the Burdwan court which has remanded him in four days’ judicial custody for test identification parade.

On Sunday, at 7.30 pm the victim originally from Pouancé in France and her male friend had boarded a non-AC sleeper coach of the train buying unreserved general tickets.

According to the latter who is also a doctor, a fellow passenger, the accused had offered her a seat since she standing near the gate of the compartment with her male friend at around 11.30 pm.

He claimed to her that she could take his seat as he would get down at Pakur station soon, sources revealed. The woman had no inkling of his evil motive.

Thanking him she went to take the seat. By then most passengers in the coach were asleep.

In her complaint to the GRP, she later alleged that she suddenly felt him hugging her from behind forcibly.

The French national shoved him aside and warned him for his behaviour, sources revealed. In return she got a punch from the culprit who again molested her. As she screamed for help, her friend who was waiting at the gate rushed to her rescue.

Other passengers also joined him. The victim lodged her complaint at GRP station.