The National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) has taken strict action against a train operator for a serious breach of privacy and protocol on its high-speed Namo Bharat (RRTS) service. The employee was summarily suspended and an FIR registered against him for allegedly recording and circulating a video of two young passengers engaged in a sexual act inside a moving coach.
Incident Details and Swift Action
The controversial incident occurred on November 24 within a premium coach of a train traveling between the Duhai and Muradnagar stations. Investigations revealed that the train operator, identified as Rishabh, used his personal mobile phone to capture the act from the live feed of the coach's surveillance cameras. The CCTV footage indicated the coach was nearly empty at the time.
Following public outcry and an internal probe, the NCRTC moved decisively. On Monday, the corporation lodged a formal First Information Report (FIR) at the Muradnagar police station. The corporation also confirmed Rishabh's termination for grossly violating internal protocols that strictly forbid staff from recording or disseminating surveillance footage.
Legal Charges and Police Investigation
The FIR has been registered under multiple sections of the law. These include Section 296 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for committing an obscene act in a public place, and Section 77 of the BNS which deals with voyeurism. Additionally, Section 67 of the Information Technology Act, concerning the publishing or transmitting of obscene material in electronic form, has been invoked.
A senior NCRTC official stated that the FIR names both the terminated train operator and the unidentified young couple. "The probe has been initiated, and efforts are underway to trace the couple involved," confirmed a police official associated with the case. The legal consequences are severe: conviction under Section 77 of BNS carries a provision for a minimum of one year to three years of imprisonment along with a fine.
Privacy Assurance and System Safeguards
In response to the incident, NCRTC officials strongly reiterated their commitment to passenger privacy. "NCRTC does not tolerate breaches of privacy or misuse of surveillance systems," emphasized an official. The corporation highlighted that the entire Namo Bharat train network is under 24/7 CCTV surveillance monitored from station and central control rooms, with security further bolstered by the UP Special Security Force and dedicated police stations along the corridor.
When questioned about the nearly one-month delay between the incident and the registration of the FIR, the NCRTC clarified that the time was needed for a thorough verification process. "The incident was under verification, which took some time. We had to ensure the facts before proceeding," the official explained, underscoring the importance of due diligence before taking punitive action.
