The Government Railway Police have arrested a lift operator and a ticket-booking clerk at the Taramani MRTS railway station and are searching for another lift operator for sexually harassing and robbing a 19-year-old girl inside the station on Saturday night.

Around 7.30 p.m. on Saturday, the girl, a native of Kerala, and her friend boarded the train at Velachery and got down at Taramani. They were sitting at the MRTS station when Lucas and Sriram approached them.

Initially, they threatened to inform her parents about her relationship and demanded money for not doing so.

The police said the duo took them to the ticket booking counter on the first floor. The two, along with the booking clerk Lokesh, then took ₹1,000 from the girl.

Later, while Lucas reportedly sexually harassed the girl, Lokesh and Sriram caught hold of her friend. Hearing her cries, Saravanan, who works in the Ariyalur collector office and was at the station, informed the police control room. The three fled the spot. While fleeing, Lucas fell and broke his leg.

He, along with Lokesh, have been arrested by the Egmore Government Railway Police and booked for robbery. Lucas has also been booked on the charge of sexual harassment under the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act. A hunt is on for Sriram who is absconding.

Lack of security

Passengers say there is an urgent need to improve security at MRTS stations.

“The stations are crowded during peak hours. During non-peak hours, they are deserted and scary,” said Prameela Vinod, a frequent user.

Passengers said the railways should install CCTV cameras. “This will serve as a deterrent,” said M. Gurucharan, a resident of Mylapore.

The GRP has requested public to sponsor cameras and those willing to do so can write to sbrailwayschennai @gmail.com & grpcontrolchennai @gmail.com. In case of emergency they can call 1512 and WhatsApp complaints to 9962500500.