Chennai Man Arrested For Masturbating In Front Of Woman Journalist On Local Train

A case was registered under Section 354-A (Sexual harassment) of the Indian Penal Code.

An arrested man with his handcuff (Image For Representation/Pixabay)

Chennai: The Southern Railway Police arrested a 23-year-old man for allegedly masturbating inside the women's compartment of a moving local train Tuesday. The man identified as Lakshmanan, a resident of Meenambakkam, allegedly masturbated in front of a woman journalist in the Tambaram-bound train.  

Lakshmanan was arrested at Chrompet and was handed over to the Tambaram railway police based on the complaint of the woman journalist working with a Tamil YouTube channel, The Indian Express reported.

On February 9, the woman boarded the local train at 9.40 pm and as the train crossed Pallavaram, she saw the accused in the women's compartment. The man reportedly flashed and masturbated in front of her, according to her complaint.

The woman immediately started recording a video and then confronted the accused. However, he got down at Chrompet railway station and fled.

The woman then lodged a complaint with the St Thomas Mount railway police and a case was registered under Section 354-A (Sexual harassment and punishment for Sexual Harassment) of the Indian Penal Code.

Based on information provided by her, the police swung into action and traced the accused. They arrested him and took him on remand.   

The journalist posted another video along with the video of the incident and demanded to strengthen security measures in trains, especially to ensure the safety of women passengers during night travel.