Man Arrested for Releasing Snake in Vande Bharat Express Toilet to Create Panic Among Passengers
The Railway Protection Force (RPF) of Central Railway has made a significant arrest in a bizarre case that caused alarm on one of India's premier trains. Nearly one-and-a-half months after a snake was discovered inside a toilet of the Mumbai–Solapur Vande Bharat Express, authorities have apprehended a 37-year-old man from Mumbra.
CCTV Footage Leads to Arrest of Nashik Resident
The accused, identified as Jagan Arjun Bhale, a resident of Nashik district, was traced through meticulous examination of CCTV footage and subsequently arrested following a crucial tip-off. Railway officials confirmed that Bhale was taken into custody on Wednesday, bringing closure to an incident that had puzzled both passengers and authorities for weeks.
Sequence of Events: From Discovery to Rescue
The unsettling incident unfolded in coach C-16 of train number 22225 when alert passengers first spotted the snake inside a washroom at Karjat station. They immediately notified railway staff, who conducted an initial inspection but could not locate the reptile. A second thorough check at Pune station also proved unsuccessful, with the snake remaining elusive.
As a precautionary measure, authorities sealed the affected toilet and promptly informed the control room about the developing situation. The reptile – identified as a rat snake measuring approximately two to two-and-a-half feet in length – was finally rescued at Solapur station with professional assistance from a snake catcher.
Confession Reveals Motive Behind the Act
Central Railway chief public relations officer Swapnil Nila provided crucial details about the investigation. CCTV footage analysis revealed that Bhale had deliberately released the snake inside the toilet after boarding the train at Thane station. During subsequent interrogation, Bhale confessed that his primary motive was to create panic among passengers traveling on the prestigious Vande Bharat Express.
Legal Proceedings and Charges Filed
The Railway Protection Force has registered a formal case against Bhale under multiple sections of the Railways Act:
- Section 145(b) – Endangering safety of persons traveling by railway
- Section 147 – Committing nuisance or trespassing on railway property
- Section 153 – Traveling without proper ticket or with improper ticket
A railway court in Kalyan has remanded Bhale to 14 days of judicial custody as the investigation continues. This case highlights the serious consequences of actions that compromise passenger safety on India's railway network, particularly on premium services like the Vande Bharat Express that represent the country's technological advancement in rail transportation.
The incident serves as a reminder of the vigilance required to maintain security on public transportation systems and the sophisticated investigative capabilities employed by railway authorities to address such unusual threats to passenger comfort and safety.
