NAGPUR: A four-man gang of thieves allegedly beat a 25-year-old farm labourer, Shushank Ramsigh Raj, to death in a packed general compartment of the Hazrat Nizamuddin-bound Dakshin Express at around 3.30am on Thursday. Raj’s friend, Kapil Kumar, too was thrashed and suffered grievous injuries.
The attack came to light about four hours after the incident, raising questions about the security and safety of passengers on long-distance trains.
The train was delayed by around an hour and a half after it reached Nagpur railway station at around 10.30am for legal formalities-a spot panchanama, forensic evidence collection by a team from Mayo hospital, and recording of statements.
The railway authorities will pay Rs 1.5 lakh as ex gratia to the victim’s next of kin.
Raj and his friend Kapil were heading to Jhansi and boarded the train at Secunderabad. They were fast asleep near the toilet in the packed coach. It’s learnt the four assailants were allegedly trying to steal Rs 1,700 cash and a mobile phone from Kapil’s pocket, which woke him up. He immediately raised an alarm shortly after the train left Mancherial station (in Telangana).
Enraged by Kapil’s reaction, the four started thrashing him, which was when Raj intervened. The four turned their wrath on Raj and beat him up as well. The entire assault lasted around 30 minutes before other co-passengers intervened.
Raj, who perhaps sustained internal injuries, went to the toilet at around 6.30am and vomited blood, following which he fell unconscious.
At around 7.15am, RPF staffers reached the general coach after being informed by a pantry car attendant as the train was crossing Hinganghat in Wardha. After learning about the four suspects -identified as Sayyed Samir (18), Mohammed Faiyaz Hasimuddin (19), M Sham Koteshwar Rao, and a minor- the RPF staffers took them into custody after the train crossed Sewagram. The accused boarded the train from near Secunderabad and were supposed to alight at Nagpur.
