Stressing on the need to create awareness among the public to rise to the occasion, the bench held that “Inaction of fellow passengers was more painful than the brutal action of the accused”.

Taking on Indian Railways for its “lukewarm” response, the bench there was no safety in  ladies' compartments.

Even after the incident, it was at the rear end of the train.  

The judges suggested that the ladies compartment be placed in the mid section and two women guards be posted.  

The FTC, which had delivered the judgement in November that year, had held that the brutal rape was one of the reasons for the victim's death and that the nature of the crime as savage and had shocked society.  

The prosecution had also pointed out that Govindachamy, hailing from Vridachalam in Tamil Nadu, was a habitual offender and had already been convicted in eight cases in that state.