Train ticket examiners Jaffer Hussain and P.R. Praveen who allegedly harassed a woman research officer of the Planning Board on board the TVM-Chennai Super Fast last week, have been charged with crimes under section 119(1), section IPC 509, and section IPC 294(b) of Kerala Police Act.
Apart from this, section 34 of the IPC, which deals with “criminal act done by several persons in furtherance of a common intention” has also been charged. As per the section, each such person is liable to be punished in the same manner as if it were done by him alone.
Kollam railway police station SI Anil has been given the charge of investigating the case. Case under section 119(1) of Kerala Police Act is registered against a person who performs, in public places, any sexual gestures or acts degrading the dignity of women.
The punishment for crimes under this section is imprisonment upto three years, with or without fine not exceeding Rs 10,000. Section 509 is invoked against those who use word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman.
The person found guilty of the charges under this section can get simple imprisonment of upto one year, with or without a fine.
Section 294 (b) deals with persons who sing, recite or utter any obscene song, ballad or words, in or near any public place.
The offenders charged under the section can get an imprisonment of a term not exceeding three months, with or without fine.
Punish if TTEs are guilty, says railway union
Southern Railway Mazdoor Union (SRMU) has said it is not against charging a criminal case against the TTEs if they committed any offence against season-ticket-holder M.R. Jayageetha.
An office-bearer of the SRMU said the police was investigating the case and action could be initiated against the two men if they were found guilty.
However, the two “cannot be punished if they were only discharging their duties.” According to him, the issue started when one of the TTEs pointed out that Jayageetha was using a facility she was not entitled to. “
Passengers traveling with a first class season ticket can travel in the first class coaches of only two trains in Kerala. In all other trains, such passengers can travel only in second class sleeper coaches, at best, even if they have a supplementary ticket.”
Jayageetha submits complaint to CM
M.R. Jayageetha, who was allegedly harassed by two TTEs last week, has submitted a complaint to chief minister Oommen Chandy on Wednesday, urging him to intervene in the case.
Jayageetha told DC that she had also submitted a petition to the Kerala State Women’s Commission. She said that there was immense pressure from the railway authorities to surrender the season ticket to them as "evidence".
"We are prepared to surrender the ticket only before an independent authority, she said. "We are afraid that the ticket may be stolen. So we are thinking of keeping it in the bank lockers," she said.
