A recent medical report submitted to a Mumbai sessions court has declared dismissed Railway Protection Force (RPF) constable Chetansinh Chaudhary, accused in a shocking onboard train murder case, to be in stable health. This development comes as the court prepares to hear arguments on his bail application, which is based primarily on claims of mental instability.
Medical Report Details and Bail Plea Grounds
The court had earlier requested a health status report from the Thane Central Jail, where Chaudhary is currently imprisoned. The medical report, dated December 18, was submitted last month and clearly states that the "prisoner is hemodynamically stable at present." This finding is crucial as it counters the central argument in Chaudhary's bail plea filed in November.
In his application, Chaudhary, through his lawyers Amit Mishra and Pankaj Ghildiyal, claimed he is "mentally unstable" and has "no knowledge of the incident." He cited a four-month admission to a mental institute in 2025 and a diagnosis of "white matter disease" as grounds for bail. He also argued that a psychological assessment was not conducted at the time of the incident.
Case Background and Prosecution's Opposition
The case pertains to the horrific events of July 31, 2023, when Chaudhary, then on duty aboard the Jaipur-Mumbai superfast train, allegedly shot and killed his senior, sub-inspector Tikaram Meena, and three Muslim passengers: Asgar Ali Abbas, Abdul Kader Bhanpurwala, and Syed Saifuddin.
The prosecution has strongly opposed the bail plea, stating that the mental health ground "does not inspire confidence." This opposition is supported by a family member of one of the victims, who argued that Chaudhary's alleged unsound mind is belied by his reported actions of handpicking victims from different coaches after checking their attire.
Treatment History and Trial Status
Chaudhary's mental health has been a recurring theme in the proceedings. Last year, he was transferred from Akola jail to Thane prison and subsequently to a Thane mental institute. He remained there under observation and treatment for five months before being sent back to jail. The trial was stalled during this period and resumed only after his return.
The jail's report notes that the treatment regimen advised by the Regional Mental Hospital in Thane has been continued for Chaudhary at the prison hospital. So far, 16 witnesses have deposed in the ongoing murder trial. The court's next step is to hear detailed arguments on the merits of Chaudhary's bail application.
