Theft in Mumbai-Delhi Rajdhani Express, 14 railway staff suspended

Robbers struck the Kranti Rajdhani Express with belongings of some passengers near Ratlam in Madhya Pradesh on Wednesday prompting rail authorities to suspend 14 railway staff. A team of RPF personnel has also been sent from Delhi to Mumbai to probe the matter.

Fourteen railway staff members, including seven house-keeping staff and seven coach have been grounded after the robbery of Rs 10 lakh on board.

Many complained of being drugged and accused the railway pantry staff as well other employees of being involved.

Anil Saxena, additional director-general and public relation officer of the railway board said, 'GRP is investigating the matter, but based on prima facie probe, we can certainly say that no intoxicant spray was used.'

Speaking to TOI on phone, one of them victim that only purses belonging to women passengers were stolen. Next morning, those



were found in toilet, dustbin and even inside kitchen, which are exclusively used by railway staff.

The passengers also claimed that the thieves had used some kind of spray to drug them and rob them, as women generally keep their purses beneath their heads or in secure place which is accessible to them only.

The Railway Police believes that thieves who stole valuables and cash worth Rs 10-15 lakh from sleeping passengers on board August Kranti Rajdhani may have followed a pattern, for similar thefts were reported on Rajdhani trains on two earlier occasions

A similar incident took place in July, when passengers aboard the Delhi-Mumbai Rajdhani also complained of thefts.

Another common link between the latest incident and the two earlier ones is the suspected location of the thefts. The incidents occurred between the Baroda and Kota junctions.