Retired Army Personnel Opens Fire Aboard Rajdhani Express Over Ticket Dispute

The dispute escalated to a point where Singh opened fire inside one of the train's coaches. Thankfully, no injuries were reported as a result of the altercation.

Outlook Web Desk

Updated on: 13 October 2023 5:20 am

A person pointing a gun. (Representational image)

In a startling incident, a 41-year-old man identified as Harvinder Singh, a retired Army personnel, allegedly discharged a firearm inside the Sealdah-New Delhi Rajdhani Express. The incident unfolded on Thursday around 9:45 pm in the B-7 coach between Dhanbad and Gomoh stations under the Dhanbad division of East Central Railway (ECR). The act was reportedly triggered by an argument with a coach attendant over a seat.

According to Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Amresh Kumar, Singh, who had a ticket for the Howrah-New Delhi Rajdhani Express, mistakenly boarded the Sealdah-New Delhi Rajdhani Express at Dhanbad railway station. The dispute with the coach attendant escalated, resulting in Singh allegedly firing from his revolver.

Despite the alarming nature of the incident, there were no reported casualties. Railway Protection Force (RPF) officials promptly seized Singh's pistol, and he was apprehended at Koderma railway station. Interrogations are underway, with initial indications suggesting that Singh may have been in an inebriated state during the confrontation.

This incident recalls a similar train firing event that occurred in July when the Jaipur Mumbai Central Superfast Express was near Palghar station. On that occasion, a former Railway Protection Force constable named Chetansinh Chaudhary allegedly shot and killed his superior, Tikaram Meena, as well as three passengers on the train.

Chaudhary was swiftly arrested, and the weapon allegedly used in the crime was seized. He faced serious charges, including murder, kidnapping, and a violation of Indian Penal Code section 153A, which pertains to inciting enmity between various groups based on religion and other grounds.