The new year began with a violent incident for Central Railway staff in Mumbai. On January 1, a ticket checking team was assaulted by two commuters at Sewri station following a dispute over an invalid ticket, leading to one arrest and a manhunt for another who escaped.
Confrontation Over Invalid Ticket Escalates to Violence
The incident unfolded around 4:30 PM on January 1 when the train from Sewri arrived at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT). Ticket checkers Dhananjay Yadav and his colleague Sudhir Manjhi were conducting a routine check in a first-class coach. Manjhi found a passenger travelling with a second-class ticket and asked him to pay the requisite fine.
This request sparked an argument. When Yadav intervened, he advised the passenger to remain seated if he was unwilling to pay, informing him that he would be taken to the Railway Protection Force (RPF) post at CSMT and later to court. Instead of complying, the passenger allegedly resorted to verbal abuse and physically assaulted Yadav, hitting him on the face and hands.
Threats, Escape, and Police Action
As fellow passengers stepped in to rescue the ticket checker, the situation grew more tense. An unidentified commuter accompanying the accused reportedly issued threats, boasting that he had already spent a year in prison and daring the officials to approach the police.
When the train reached CSMT, vigilant co-passengers assisted Yadav and Manjhi in taking the two individuals to the Government Railway Police (GRP). They were sent for a medical examination to St. George's Hospital, where one of the accused managed to flee from custody.
The apprehended commuter was identified as Shabbir Shaikh, a 23-year-old dance tutor from Govandi. Yadav also received medical treatment at the hospital. The Wadala GRP has registered a formal First Information Report (FIR) against Shaikh and the unidentified accomplice who escaped.
Aftermath and Ongoing Investigation
This attack highlights the risks faced by railway personnel enforcing ticket rules. The GRP's investigation is now focused on tracking down the second accused who remains at large. The incident has raised concerns about passenger safety and the security of railway employees on duty.
Authorities are reviewing the case and have assured strict action against those involved in assaulting on-duty government servants. The search for the fugitive commuter continues as the GRP examines further evidence from the scene and statements.
