Eyewitnesses reported that the attackers appeared to be under the influence of alcohol and targeted the couple based on their attire and identity
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI – A Muslim woman was molested and her husband was subjected to abuse and physical assault by four men on a running train recently.
The incident occurred aboard a passenger train from Delhi to Aligarh. According to the victims, the men began harassing the woman shortly after the journey commenced. When her husband intervened, the perpetrators turned violent, verbally abusing the couple with communal slurs and physically assaulting the husband.
Eyewitnesses reported that the attackers appeared to be under the influence of alcohol and targeted the couple based on their attire and identity. Despite the couple’s repeated pleas for help, only a few passengers stepped forward to intervene, reflecting a concerning level of apathy among fellow commuters.
The couple reported the incident upon reaching Aligarh. The Government Railway Police (GRP) registered a First Information Report (FIR) against the accused.
As the couple got down at Aligarh railway junction, the assaulters continued to harass the couple and hit the husband with belts. On the platform, when the couple appealed for help, some bystanders informed the police, media reports said on Saturday.
Surprisingly, the GRP officers arrested the husband despite her clear allegations against the molesters. After the couple’s relatives staged a protest against the police’s action, the police released the husband and registered a complaint at Aligarh GRP police station.
According to the police, Jitu Singh, a resident of Usmanpur Khandauli in Agra, was arrested. The other three culprits are on the run.
The victim’s ordeal as she narrated to reporters is enough to shake the conscience of all those who believe in humanity and have a throbbing heart.
The incident has drawn widespread condemnation with community leaders and activists demanding swift justice and stricter enforcement of safety measures for women and minorities on public transport.
The assault on the couple highlights a troubling trend of communal polarisation and safety issues in public spaces. Authorities must act decisively to ensure justice and restore public confidence in railway safety mechanisms.