The Director General of Police Shankar Jiwal on Tuesday appreciated the police team that ensured the speedy trial and conviction of the lone accused in sexual assault on a pregnant woman while she was travelling in an express train.

On February 6, a pregnant woman was travelling alone in the women’s compartment of Coimbatore–Tirupati Intercity Express. During the journey, the victim was sexually assaulted and pushed out of the moving train near Jolarpet by the accused, Hemaraj, a 27-year-old from Vellore district.

Police said, on February 7, a case was registered at Jolarpet Railway Police Station and the accused was arrested by Government Railway Police (GRP) on the same day. Subsequently, he was detained under the Goondas Act. An investigation was carried out and a charge sheet was filed within 47 days before the District Sessions Court in Tirupathur.

The case was taken up for trial on May 2 as the police and the prosecution took steps to expedite the trial process as per law. The accused was found guilty on July 11 by the court. He was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment till death on July 14, said police.

In recognition of the dedicated efforts resulting in the life conviction of the accused within five months, Mr. Jiwal appreciated and rewarded the Investigation Officer and the team on Tuesday at the police headquarters.