TNN

Patna, Dec 12: In yet another incident of rape and assault in a moving train on the Gorakhpur-Barauni route, a 14-year-old domestic help returning to her native place alone in West Bengal was allegedly raped by one Prem Kumar in the Awadh-Assam Express. The incident took place in a general compartment in the wee hours of Wednesday.

According to sources at Barauni and New Delhi GRP, the accused was handed over to Barauni GRP by agitated passengers. "The girl, a domestic help from Kalikapur in West Bengal, was returning home alone. She had apparently asked her parents not to come to Delhi to pick her up as that would have meant extra expenses. On Wednesday morning, she got up to go to toilet around 4.30 am. The accused took advantage of the situation and criminally assaulted her. However, other passengers who heard her cries rushed to her help and caught Kumar," said Vidya Sagar, SHO, GRP post, Barauni.

According to sources at the Old Delhi station, the man had tried to develop an intimacy with her after knowing that she was alone and that the train was running late. However, the young girl failed to see his real intention.

The girl's medical examination was carried out at a Barauni government hospital. Her parents have been intimated about the incident. "The girl's report will be handed over to police on Friday. Till her parents arrive, the girl will remain under the care of a lady police officer at Barauni," the police said adding the girl was taken to the CJM, Begusarai on Thursday to record her statement.

Meanwhile, senior RPF officials at Delhi and GRP officials of Katihar zone under which Barauni GRP falls, told TOI that special escort parties have been asked to be vigilant on night trains.

RPF officials said that keeping in view the terror threats, vigil had been stepped up in trains. "It seems main instructions have not been followed. We might ask for a probe into the incident," said a senior official.