Police in Maharashtra have registered a case against five individuals for allegedly assaulting a senior Travelling Ticket Examiner (TTE) and his colleague on board a long-distance express train. The violent incident unfolded when the TTE requested the group to pay a fine for traveling without valid tickets.
Violent Confrontation on Moving Train
The altercation occurred on January 11 aboard the Thiruvananthapuram-CSMT Express. Senior TTE Shamu Kallu Rathod, aged 33, was conducting a routine ticket check in a reserved coach. He encountered a crowd of approximately 15 to 20 general passengers congregating near the washroom area.
Rathod promptly asked to inspect their tickets. He advised those who were traveling without proper authorization to settle the requisite fine. This routine enforcement action triggered a hostile reaction from a segment of the group.
Assault and Threats Against Railway Staff
According to the First Information Report (FIR) filed in the case, five members of the group physically attacked TTE Rathod. The assailants did not stop at mere assault. They allegedly threatened to throw the public servant off the moving train, creating a perilous situation.
When Rathod's colleague, Avanesh Kumar, attempted to intervene and de-escalate the situation, he too was assaulted. The attackers reportedly slapped Kumar for trying to help his fellow railway employee.
Swift Police Action at Kalyan Station
The train continued its journey toward Mumbai. Upon reaching Kalyan railway station, personnel from the Government Railway Police (GRP) and the Railway Protection Force (RPF) were ready. They swiftly took all five suspects into custody as they disembarked from the train.
Investigations revealed that all the accused individuals are residents of Worli, a locality in Mumbai. Their identities have been recorded as part of the ongoing legal process.
Legal Charges Under New Criminal Code
The accused now face serious charges under the recently implemented Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Police have booked them under multiple sections of the new criminal code.
The primary charges include:
- Section 121(1): Voluntarily causing hurt to deter a public servant from their duty.
- Section 132: Using assault or criminal force to prevent a public servant from discharging their duty.
These sections carry significant penalties, reflecting the gravity of attacking officials performing their lawful responsibilities. The case highlights the risks faced by railway staff during routine ticket-checking operations on India's vast rail network.
