Thrissur, Monday, February 06, 2012: It was exactly a year ago on this day (February 6, 2011) that Soumya, a 23-year-old woman succumbed to her injuries at Thrissur Government MCH, which she sustained after being pushed out of a moving train near Shoranur by Govindachamy.

Soumya, a commuter of Ernakulam- Shoranur passenger train (56608) was found in an unconscious state in woods near the Vallathol Nagar Railway Station on February 1. The accused Govindachamy was awarded death sentence by the Thrissur fast track Court for the cruel and cold blooded murder of Soumya.

The woman, working in a private firm in Kochi, was returning home for a marriage proposal when the incident took place. The train was deserted after it left Thrissur station.

Govindachamy, the accused entered the women’s compartment of the train, in which the victim was travelling alone, from the Vallathol Nagar railway station. The Police said that Govindachamy tried to nab the woman’s bag. The woman resisted the attack and ran to the end of the compartment to escape him.

Govindachamy pushed her out of the train and she fell down with her head banging on the rock. He also jumped out of the train, along with her and raped the severely injured woman.

On October 31, the Court had found Govindachamy guilty of offences under IPC sections 302 (murder), 376 (rape), 394 (person voluntarily causing hurt in committing or attempting to commit robbery), 397 (robbery or dacoity, with attempt to cause death or grievous hurt) and 447 (criminal trespass).

Even though the Railway authorities had assured that women police officers would be deployed on duty in the ladies compartment in night trains the assurance still remains unfulfilled.