Hyderabad Sadhu Receives Unprecedented Jail Sentence for Railway Track Sabotage
In a landmark case, a 42-year-old man known as 'Sadhu' Ramdas has been handed a record jail term by authorities in Hyderabad for deliberately endangering railway passenger safety. The Railway Protection Force (RPF) confirmed this as the highest imprisonment ever awarded in the South Central Railway (SCR) zone for offences involving obstruction of rail tracks, surpassing the typical maximum of three months in similar cases.
Incident Details and Investigation
The offence was reported on May 8, 2025, when trackmen alerted RPF officials about suspicious objects placed along the tracks between Kacheguda and Budvel stations. Stones and elastic rail clips were found at junction points, raising immediate concerns of a deliberate act to disrupt operations. Treating the alert as critical, RPF swiftly constituted a special team to inspect the affected locations.
During the investigation, officials examined CCTV footage from surrounding areas, which captured the sadhu loitering suspiciously near the junction points. Based on this evidence and other leads, RPF tracked down and arrested Ramdas. Gorakhnath Mawl, RPF inspector at Kacheguda, stated, "The footage clearly showed his involvement, leading to his apprehension."
Background and Pattern of Offences
Further investigation revealed that Ramdas, who adopted the sadhu identity after losing his livelihood as an electrician during the Covid-19 pandemic, is a habitual offender. He has been traveling across states by train and engaging in similar dangerous acts. RPF officials disclosed that he has committed comparable offences in Tamil Nadu as well, indicating a pattern of disruptive behavior.
During interrogation, Ramdas refused to provide any explanation for his actions, leaving authorities puzzled about his motives. Inspector Mawl noted, "What surprised us was the methodical nature of the offence. He placed 20 stones in a row at five different locations along the Kacheguda-Budvel section, suggesting premeditation."
Legal Charges and Mental State Assessment
Ramdas has been charged under multiple sections of the Railways Act:
- Section 153 for deliberately endangering passenger safety.
- Section 174C for trespassing on railway property.
- Section 147 for obstructing railway operations.
Initially, investigators suspected that Ramdas might be mentally unsound, but further questioning ruled out this possibility. He responded coherently to all queries and demonstrated full awareness of his actions, as confirmed by RPF officials.
Implications for Railway Security
This case highlights significant concerns regarding railway security and the need for vigilant monitoring of tracks. The RPF's prompt response and use of technology, such as CCTV analysis, were crucial in solving the case. Authorities emphasize that such acts pose severe risks to passenger safety and operational integrity, warranting strict legal consequences.
The record jail term serves as a deterrent, signaling zero tolerance for activities that compromise railway safety. RPF continues to urge public cooperation in reporting suspicious activities to prevent similar incidents in the future.
