Woman sexually assaulted at KSRTC bus stand

T'puram: Kattakada police on Sunday registered a case after a woman with learning difficulties was allegedly sexually assaulted while sleeping on a bench near the station master's office at KSRTC bus stand around 1am on Friday. Based on the CCTV footage, police identified the accused as ‘Bruce Lee' Shibu, reportedly involved in several criminal cases. Police intensified efforts to trace him.KSRTC officials on duty noticed a man behaving suspiciously near the woman and questioned him. The man later left the premises. The woman was also not found at the bus stand afterwards. Police were informed about the incident, and details of the alleged assault emerged during an examination of CCTV visuals collected from the bus stand and nearby areas. Police conducted searches in and around the bus stand and nearby localities but could not initially trace either the accused or the woman. On Saturday night, another search was carried out at the KSRTC depot and surrounding areas, during which the woman was found wandering near the bus stand. She was later shifted to a shelter home in Kattakada. On Sunday morning, the woman was taken for medical examination and counselling. Police recorded her statement and registered a case of sexual harassment under Sections 75 and 75(2) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Efforts to trace and arrest the accused are continuing.