Fix CCTV on trains for safety of women, kids: HC

While hearing a writ petition filed by the petitioner, A Vinoth, a Grade II police constable of the Railway police who had challenged his dismissal from service in 2015 for alleged lewd behavior with a woman passenger, Justice S M Subramanian said, “Police personnel committing act of sexual harassment against women in trains should not be spared”.

The judge directed the Southern Railway authorities to conduct a survey with the assistance of experts and install CCTV cameras in railway coaches. He also ordered the Southern Railway to formulate guidelines in order to match present-day circumstances and that which would then be followed by security officials in running trains. Efforts have to be taken as expeditiously as possible in the interest of the public at large, the court said.

The judge said a large number of women travelled alone even during odd hours on buses, trains and aircraft, and it was the duty of the State to ensure their safety. In many countries, CCTV cameras are installed inside public transport vehicles at strategic places to track the passengers. Such a policy must be implemented by the Southern Railway too, Justice Subramanian added.

The judge rejected the petitioner’s appeal challenging the order of his dismissal.

The court wondered why the Railways department conducted only disciplinary proceedings against the guilty, as the very nature of the complaint established an offence that was to be prosecuted under the provision of criminal law, it said.

The petitioner during patrol on the Pearl City Express train from Chennai to Thoothukudi on December 29, 2014 reportedly made lewd remarks on a woman passenger under the influence of liquor. The victim soon filed a complaint with the Railway police and subsequently, a woman constable on duty at the time also confirmed the petitioner’s indecent behavior.The Railway authorities then placed Vinoth under suspension, and after conducting disciplinary proceedings, he was dismissed from service on April 15, 2015. He had then moved the Madras High Court for relief.