Man sentenced in two separate train-pushing cases; One for 15 years, another rigorous life term

 

By Barnabas Karunagari | November 25, 2025

Vellore, Tamil Nadu, INDIA: In two separate judgments delivered by courts in Tamil Nadu, a 25-year-old man, R. K. Hemaraj of KV Kuppam, has been handed major prison sentences — including 15 years’ imprisonment and, in a second case, rigorous life imprisonment — for pushing women off moving trains in incidents reported in 2022 and 2025.

15 Years Jail for 2022 Katpadi Train Assault

The Fast Track Mahila Court in Vellore on Monday (November 24, 2025) sentenced Hemaraj to 15 years’ imprisonment and imposed a fine of ₹1,10,000 for pushing a woman off the Arakkonam–Vellore Cantonment MEMU Express (06735) on November 22, 2022.

Judge Gokulakrishnan delivered the verdict after examining 20 witnesses and finding him guilty under IPC Sections 392 and 397 and Section 4 of the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment Against Women Act. Failure to pay the fine would attract an additional six months’ imprisonment.

According to the Katpadi Government Railway Police (GRP), the woman was travelling from Ambattur to Vellore Cantonment to deliver a wedding invitation to a relative when Hemaraj tried to snatch her mobile phone and threatened her at knifepoint. He allegedly misbehaved with her before pushing her out of the slowing train near Vellore Town railway station. The injured woman was rescued by passengers and admitted to CMC Vellore.

Hemaraj was arrested within 24 hours and later detained under the Goondas Act.

Pregnant Woman Pushed From Train in 2025: Rigorous Life Imprisonment

In a separate and more severe case, the Tirupattur District and Sessions Court on Monday (July 14, 2025) sentenced Hemaraj — identified as a history-sheeter — to rigorous life imprisonment for pushing a pregnant woman off a moving train on February 6, 2025, after she resisted a sexual assault attempt.

Judge S. Meenakumari also imposed a fine of ₹85,000 and directed the Ministry of Railways and the Tamil Nadu government to pay ₹50 lakh compensation each to the survivor within a month. The court further instructed the State government to cover all future medical expenses of the victim.

The 36-year-old woman, who was four months pregnant, was travelling alone from Tiruppur to her mother’s house and had boarded the Coimbatore–Tirupati Intercity Express. According to police, Hemaraj entered the ladies' compartment at Jolarpet and attempted to sexually assault her. When she resisted, he fractured her right hand and pushed her out of the compartment near K.V. Kuppam station, where railway staff later rescued her.

A total of 22 witnesses, including the survivor, were examined in the case, and all charges were proved, Public Prosecutor P. T. Saravanan said.

Repeat Offender With Multiple Cases

Police records revealed that Hemaraj had been out on conditional bail in a 2024 murder case involving a 29-year-old woman from Chennai. He also faced another 2022 GRP case for pushing a woman commuter off a train after snatching her mobile phone. He has previously been detained under the Goondas Act twice.