Mumbai Court Denies Bail To RPF Constable Accused Of Train Shooting

A Mumbai court has refused bail to dismissed Railway Protection Force (RPF) constable Chetansinh Chaudhary, accused of fatally shooting his senior colleague and three passengers on a moving train in July.

Outlook Web Desk

Updated on: 16 December 2023 3:31 pm

A representation image of a court trial

In a recent development, a Mumbai court has rejected the bail plea of dismissed Railway Protection Force (RPF) constable Chetansinh Chaudhary, who stands accused of fatally shooting his senior colleague and three passengers on a moving train in July. Chaudhary, currently incarcerated in a Maharashtra jail, presented a bail plea citing "haunted illusions of the ghostly world" and erratic behavior, as reported by PTI.?

The police opposed the plea, asserting that Chaudhary harbored "anger and grudge" towards a specific community and displayed no remorse for the crime committed. They argued that granting bail could tarnish the perception of the law and instill fear among certain religious groups. The Government Railway Police (RPF), handling the case, submitted these concerns during the hearing.

Umesa Khatoon, the wife of victim Asgar Shaikh, opposed Chaudhary's bail through her advocates, describing him as a "terrorist-minded person" and a "threat to the national security of the nation."

The tragic incident unfolded on July 31 aboard the Jaipur-Mumbai Central Express near Palghar railway station in Maharashtra. Chaudhary, aged 34, allegedly shot dead RPF Assistant Sub-Inspector Tika Ram Meena and two passengers in different coaches of the train. He was apprehended with his weapon near Mira Road station after passengers activated the emergency chain.

In October, the police filed a chargesheet against Chaudhary under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including 302 (murder), 153-A (promoting enmity between different groups), and relevant provisions of the Railways Act and the Maharashtra Prevention Of Defacement of Property Act.