Pune: Don’t Have Sanitizers While Traveling On the Train? You May Face Extortion By ‘Staff’

Sumit Singh

Pune, 28th April 2022: Coronavirus disease (COVID19) cases have dipped drastically resulting in relaxation of all the preventive measures. However, there is a well organised racket of extortion going in some trains if you are not carrying sanitizers during the journey.

The incident came to light on April 23 when a traveler tweeted a video.

R Bhumeshwar tweeted, “Train no 12129, Azad Hind express Date: 23 April 2022 Train standing at PF 3 Pune Railway Station. These two people pretending themselve railway staff, start checking for sanitizer and threatened passengers sitting in 2nd class. They also asked for fine to those do not have the sanitizer. We Indians are really so innocent and illiterate that we couldn’t identify the fake faces. Administrators and law keepers please look into this.”

He tagged the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Pune as well as the Ministry of Railways and Central Railways. Soon, the DRM directed the Railway Protection Force (RPF) to take action.

Speaking to PunekarNews.in, “Pune DRM Renu Sharma said, “This is extortion. Whether they are staff or outsiders, action will be taken against them. I have directed senior DCM to look into the matter and take action.”

According to RPF, they caught one man and three women for unauthorisedly selling sanitizer in the train. A case has been registered 144 (prohibition on hawking, etc.), 145(b) (commits any nuisance ), 147 (entering train illegally) of the Railway Act against them. They were produced before the railway court’s Judicial Magistrate (First Class) who fined them Rs 300.

However, no action was taken for extortion and only mild charges were invoked.

When contacted, Government Railway Police (GRP) officials said that RPF is responsible for taking action inside the trains. However, when confronted with video evidence shared by the passenger, they promised to get back after taking legal advice.

A senior official in the Pune railway administration, on the condition of anonymity, told PunekarNews.in, “Nobody can dare to do any ‘business’ without giving ‘cut’ to those tasked with providing security to the passengers. Hence, no strict action is being taken as the chain of accused may lead to them also.”

Some other passengers have also shared their ordeal at the Pune railway station.