Woman sexually assaulted on KSRTC bus; accused on the run

Thiruvananthapuram: A senior woman advocate was allegedly sexually assaulted by a co-passenger on a KSRTC fast passenger bus near Attingal. The accused is currently absconding, police said.According to her complaint, the man, who was seated next to her, allegedly attempted to grab her while the bus was in motion. She immediately alerted fellow passengers and confronted the accused.
However, by the time the bus reached Attingal bus stand, the man quickly got off the vehicle, evading attempts by passengers to detain him. Before he fled, the woman managed to photograph the suspect on her mobile phone. She later approached Attingal police and lodged a formal complaint, submitting the photograph as evidence. "We have invoked appropriate sections related to outraging the modesty of a woman and sexual assault. Efforts are under way to identify and trace the accused at the earliest," a police source said. Police recorded statements of the bus crew and passengers and are examining CCTV footage from the bus stand and surrounding areas as part of the investigation.