Malappuram, 16 August (H.S.): Police have launched a search for an unidentified man accused of sexually assaulting a female passenger aboard a Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus travelling from Kozhikode to Palakkad.

The alleged incident occurred on Friday while the woman was seated next to the accused during the journey. According to her complaint, the man sexually assaulted her before leaving the bus. She later approached the Kondotty police and reported the incident.

A case was registered on Saturday evening, and efforts are under way to establish the identity and whereabouts of the suspect. Although the woman did not have personal details about the accused, she managed to take his photograph on her mobile phone.

Investigators are using the photograph as the principal lead in the case. It has been circulated among police stations in Kondotty and nearby areas to determine whether officers or members of the public can identify the man.

Police are also expected to examine available surveillance camera footage from bus stations and locations along the Kozhikode-Palakkad route. Details of the bus journey and passenger movements are likely to be collected as part of the investigation.

The woman has also accused the bus conductor of failing to intervene when she informed him about the alleged assault. In her statement, she said she had alerted the conductor and sought his assistance. However, instead of confronting the accused or taking other action, the conductor allegedly asked her to move away and occupy another seat.

Police said the conductor would be summoned for questioning to verify the allegation and determine how he responded after the passenger reported the incident.

Investigators are also expected to record statements from the bus crew and other passengers who may have witnessed the incident or noticed the accused. Further action will be taken based on the findings of the investigation, police said.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman