Kolkata, July 2: On June 21, a seemingly ordinary afternoon took a dramatic turn when train number 53434 (Barharwa–Azimganj Passenger) departed from Barharwa station’s platform 2. Just minutes into the journey, the train came to an abrupt halt due to an emergency chain pull. Panic ensued among passengers as news spread that a fire had broken out in the toilet of the disabled coach located right behind the engine.
RPF constable Mrityunjay Kumar, sub-inspector Lal Bahadur Majhi, and constable Anil Kumar rushed to the scene. Inside the toilet, they discovered that a fiber lid of a Western-style commode had been set ablaze on the floor. There were no papers, cloth, or any flammable substances like petrol or kerosene present. The cause of the fire remained a complete mystery, and the suspect had fled the scene.
The RPF post at Barharwa registered a case against an unknown individual under Section 153 of the Railway Act and initiated an investigation. RPF officials conducted a meticulous examination of CCTV footage from Barharwa and Sahibganj stations. Although the cameras did not capture a clear image of the suspect boarding the train, the team identified him based on the color of his clothing and his distinctive walking style.
Under the guidance of Eastern Railway’s General Manager Milind Deuskhar, the RPF team set a trap based on intelligence received. On June 29, the same suspect was spotted at Sahibganj station on the same train, where he was apprehended. During interrogation, the suspect admitted to smoking a bidi in the coach’s toilet and extinguishing it on the plastic lid, which ignited. In a panic, he jumped off the slowly moving train and fled.
The suspect was presented before the Railway Judicial Magistrate (RJM) in Sahibganj, who remanded him to judicial custody until July 24, 2026.
This swift and thorough investigation exemplifies the RPF’s unwavering commitment to passenger safety. Amiyanandan Sinha, IG and Chief Security Commissioner of Eastern Railway, praised the Barharwa RPF team for effectively utilizing CCTV gate analysis and ground intelligence to apprehend the suspect within days, ensuring that this reckless act endangering passengers and railway property was punished.
Emphasizing the importance of public cooperation in rail safety, Shibram Majhi, Chief Public Relations Officer of Eastern Railway, stated that passenger safety is the top priority for Eastern Railway. The organization maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards any act that jeopardizes passengers or railway property. Smoking on trains is not only strictly prohibited and punishable but, as this incident illustrates, can also have serious and dangerous consequences. All passengers are urged to adhere to safety regulations, behave responsibly, and report any suspicious activities or fire-related threats immediately to RPF or train staff.
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