Hyderabad: A 34-year-old woman has been arrested for driving her SUV over the railway tracks for nearly eight km in Telangana’s Ranga Reddy district on Thursday morning. Train services were disrupted due to her irresponsible behaviour.
The woman, originally from Uttar Pradesh, put up a major fight when the police attempted to pull her out of the vehicle. Finally, it took about 20 persons to restrain her. The police are now trying to ascertain whether she is mentally disturbed or had consumed alcohol or some other substance. She has been sent for medical tests.
The incident took place near Shankarpally on the tracks between Hyderabad and Bengaluru. A video revealed a KIA Sonet speeding down the tracks. Railway officials said that all efforts to flag down the vehicle failed and they stopped all trains that were scheduled to pass through that route.
Another video showed locals, railway staff, and police struggling to bring the woman out of the car. In the third clip, after the crowd manages to bring her out and tie her hands, the woman is heard shouting in Hindi, “open my hands”.
Locals said that several people, including railway staff and police personnel, ran after the car till it finally came to a stop. The woman who was driving, was clad in what appears to be a black sweatshirt, track pants and sneakers. She had also put on black-coloured driving gloves. Given her attire and behaviour, it didn’t seem as if she planned to commit suicide, an official said.
According to Chandana Deepti, SP, Railway Police, the woman was aggressive and appeared to be mentally disturbed.
“A preliminary probe into the matter revealed she worked with a multi-national company until recently. She is from Uttar Pradesh. We have recovered her driving licence and PAN card from the vehicle,” Deepti said.
The railways has said that at least 10-15 passenger trains, including one between Bengaluru and Hyderabad, had to be diverted as a precautionary measure.
