Foreign Objects To Stone-Pelting: Tracking Indian Railways’ Troubles In Past 15 Months | Full List Of Incidents

The most recent incident was a cylinder being found on the tracks near Kanpur railway station on Sunday. The matter is currently under the investigation of the Uttar Pradesh Police

From laying objects on tracks to pelting of stones on Vande Bharat, the Indian Railways have witnessed 22 incidents since June 2023, which security agencies suspect hint at sabotage.

The most recent incident was a cylinder being found on the tracks near Kanpur railway station on Sunday. The matter is currently under the investigation of the Uttar Pradesh Police, along with the intelligence agencies of the state.

A look at all such incidents in the past 15 months:

• September 9, 2024, between Bairajpur and Uttaripura in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh: The loco pilot of train no. 14117 observed an object resembling a cylinder on the track. Upon stopping the train and searching the area, the cylinder was not found, and the train was allowed to continue. ○ A domestic LPG cylinder, filled with gas, was found in a dented state about 10 steps away in the bushes. At kilometer mark 37/16-17, five steps from the track, a packet of black-brown powder in a sweet bag, a matchbox, and a beer bottle containing petrol-like liquid with a partially burnt wick were found. A case has been registered based on the complaint of JE/Railway Path/Billaur Ramesh Chand at Shivrajpur police station (Case no. 166/24) under sections 287/125 BNS, Section 04/9B Explosive Act 1984, and Sections 150/151/152 of the Railway Act. Efforts are being made to arrest the accused.
• September 4, Kurduwadi Station Yard in Solapur, Maharashtra: Fouling mark stone was found at KM No 377/3-5 near Kurduwadi station yard (SUR end) due to which tower wagon had stopped on tracks. The fouling mark stone measured 4 feet in length, ½ feet in width, and weighed approximately 80-90 kg. CCTV footage from a nearby house was checked, but the railway line and the incident site were not covered by the camera. The GRP registered a case at Kurduwadi (Case No. 98/2024) under sections 125, 126(2) BNS, and 147, 150(1)(a) of the Railway Act against an unknown person. RPF, GRP, and CIB/SUR are coordinating and making joint efforts to arrest the accused.
• September 4, Shivpuri and Padarkheda stations in Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh: Upon joint inspection of the railway track, stone marks were found on both sides of the rail lines at Km No. 1209/3-5. The area had makeshift paths on both sides of the track with no nearby settlements, level crossings, or underpasses. It appeared that stones had been placed by an unknown person to facilitate the crossing of a motorcycle. These stones were struck by train number 01883, damaging the rail guard. Joint inspection of the railway track at KM No. 1209/3-5 revealed collision marks on the stones on both sides of the railway lines. A case was filed under sections 147, 154, and 174 of the Railway Act.
• ALSO READ | Foreign Objects On Railway Tracks: With 2 Dozen Attempts Since May 2023, Security Agencies Suspect Sabotage
• August 30, between Sambalpur (SBP) and Sarala (SRLA) section, Odisha: Around 08:10 hrs, train No. MADV/Container suddenly stopped at the work site. A PSC sleeper that had been placed beside the down line track slid onto the track due to vibrations caused by the train. The sleeper got entangled with the train’s footboard. The loco pilot stopped the train and instructed the field staff to remove the sleeper, after which the train proceeded. RPF officers and staff visited the spot (KM No. 556/20-22) and found sleeper changing work being conducted by SSE/P.way/SBP with 42 contractual laborers under contractor Shambhu Goyal. SSE P.Way SPL, site TM-I Munendra Jha, and labor supervisor Iqbaal denied any outside interference.
• August 30, Dalton Ganj-Kajri section, Palamu, Jharkhand: A total of 100 Pandrol clips were stolen after being removed from the railway tracks. Based on the written complaint from the Senior Section Engineer, casenumber 9/24 was registered under Section 3 of the Railway Act and Section 147 of the Indian Penal Code against unknown persons.
• August 30, between Chandan Nagar and Hafizpet railway stations, Rangareddy, Telangana: An iron rod was placed on the Down line track at KM No. 164/8-10 between Chandan Nagar and Hafizpet railway stations. IPF/LPI registered a case (Crime No. 1855/2024) under Sections 153 and 174(b) of the Railway Act. IPF/LPI, SIPF/LPI, and staff rushed to the site and seized the iron rod, which was approximately 8 meters long and weighed about 20 kg. RPF and GRP are jointly searching the surrounding area for the suspect and are making inquiries with local people.
• August 28, between Chhabra Gugor and Bhulon, Baran, Rajasthan: A freight train (Rewa-Satna, Down) collided with a motorcycle chassis on the tracks between Chhabda Gugor and Bhulon. On joint inspection, a motorcycle chassis, covered in mud, was found between Km No. 128/30-32 (Down Line) and Km No. 128/31-29 (Up Line). Mud marks and rubbing marks on the chassis were noted, and photographs were taken. A case has been registered against an unknown person under sections 147, 153, and 174 of the Railways Act 1989.
• August 24, between Jawai Bandh and Virolia, Pali, Rajasthan: The Station Master at Jawai Bandh reported that an unknown individual had placed a cement concrete block on the railway track between Jawai Bandh and Virolia. On the following day, 24.08.2024, at 14:59 hrs, civil police, PWI and RPF, Marwar, arrived at the site to re-inspect and investigate the incident. During this investigation, they found stones placed on the railway track once again, similar to the previous occurrence. A case has been registered under Section 150, 152 of the Railway Act and Section 3 of the NDPP Act, 1984.
• August 23, between Kayamganj and Shamshabad, Farrukhabad, Uttar Pradesh: It was reported that a piece of wood was placed on the railway track between Kayamganj and Shamshabad, causing train No. 05389 to be stopped at the incident site. On inspection by RPF and other railway officials, it was found that a mango wood, approximately 137 cm long, 20 cm in diameter, and weighing around 30 kg, was placed on the track. A case has been registered at RPF Post Farrukhabad under case number 692/24, U/S 153/174 Railway Act against unknown persons. Local police at Kayamganj have also registered an FIR No. 0173/2024 under Section 150 of the Railway Act.
• August 22, Hamirpur village, Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh: Station Master Virendra Kumar Verma was shot while traveling home after completing his duty on 21.08.2024 between 16:00 and 24:00 hrs. The Station Master was referred to the Trauma Center in Varanasi after primary treatment. He is currently conscious and in communication. His family has been informed.
• August 20, near Bhadohra Railway Station, Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh: Two RPF personnel were tasked with transporting weapons and ammunition to the Mokamaghat Training Center. They departed from DDU Railway Station on Train No. 15631 Down at 01:00 on 20.08.2024, but failed to report to the training center by the expected time of 09:00. When they didn’t arrive, the Security Control Room DDU was notified, and an investigation was launched. Coordination with inspectors and posts on the Danapur Division led to the discovery of two dead bodies near Bhadohra Railway Station, which were identified as the two missing RPF personnel. An FIR No. 0144/2024 under Section 103(1) of the BNS was registered at Gahmar Police Station (Ghazipur).
• August 20, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh: Train No. KN2733541 collided with a motorcycle rim, causing the train to stop between 07:40 AM and 07:45 AM. An alloy wheel and a plastic bag were found in the bushes on the southside of the up track. An FIR was registered at Rorawar Police Station under Section 150 of the Railway Act against unknown individuals.
• August 18, between Garha and Kachhpura, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh: Iron rods on the railway track collided with the engine of passenger train 05706. Six iron rods, each 9 mm in diameter, approximately 15-20 feet in length, were found tangled and chained at KM No 983/5-7. Preliminary findings suggest that unknown individuals had stolen the iron rods and were attempting to transport them. They abandoned the rods on the track when they noticed the approaching train. City Police of Sanjeevani Nagar seized the rods and initiated an investigation. An FIR has been registered at RPF Post Nainpur under Sections 153, 154, and 174(b) of the Railway Act against an unknown individual.
• August 17, Kartarpur Railway Station, Jalandhar, Punjab: Head Constable Gurpreet Singh was on duty at Kartarpur Railway Station when he was informed of heavy traffic congestion at Gate No. 5-55. Upon arrival, he attempted to direct an incorrectly overtaking XUV vehicle (PB 11 BJ 4147) from Kapurthala to correct its direction. This led to an argument, and 5-6 Nihang Sikhs emerged from the vehicle, attacking HC Gurpreet Singh with swords/kirpan. He suffered a deep 5-6 inch wound near his right elbow. Gurpreet Singh was admitted to the Civil Hospital Kartarpur by HC Sarwan Singh and CT Lakhwinder Singh, where he received 30-32 stitches. Based on HC Gurpreet Singh’s complaint, an FIR was registered against Gagandeep Singh and six unidentified individuals under sections 191(3), 190, 221, 132, 118 BNS.
• August 17, between Govindpur and Bhimsen, Kanpur Nagar, Uttar Pradesh: 19168 Sabarmati Express derailed, pushing 20 bogies off the track. According to the train’s loco pilot A.P. Bundela, the derailment occurred after the train collided with an object. On-site, a piece of old railway track (approximately 3 feet long) and an iron clamp were found. An FIR was registered at the Panki police station, Kanpur under sections 125 of BNS 2023, 150, 151, and 152 of the Railway Act 1989.
• August 5, near Lalgopalganj Station, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh: Gulzar was involved in making videos by placing scissors, gas cylinders, and other household objects on the railway track near Lal Gopalganj station. A case has been registered under sections 147, 145, & 153 of the Railway Act.
• July 16, near Lalgopalganj Station, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh: A complaint was received regarding a YouTuber “AY. INDIAN HACKER" who was placing items like gas cylinders, scissors, mobiles, and other objects on railway tracks, recording videos, and uploading them to his channel. One viral video showed an unknown person placing a gas cylinder on the railway track and recording a train passing over it. RPF Bhivandi Road, Case No. 207/2024 under sections 147, 145(b), and 153 of the Railway Act. Cyber Crime Mumbai and YouTube were contacted to take down the video and delete the account. On 11.08.2024, RPF Bhivandi Road, with the help of local city police, apprehended the suspect from Rajapur Malhua, Soraon, Uttar Pradesh. Accused Ayaan Khan confessed that he had placed gas cylinders, scissors, mobile phones, and other items on the railway track between Ramchura and Lalgopalganj to record videos for his YouTube channel (AY. Indian Hacker) to gain likes and subscribers. Ayaan was influenced by his cousin Gulzar Sheikh, who was arrested on August 1 for similar acts.
• July 12, Chinpai Railway Station, Birbhum, West Bengal: A group of 400-500 devotees of the “Urus Mela," held at Alam Baba Mazar near the railway track at KM 37/07-34, agitated at Chinpai Railway Station. The agitation was due to a train not stopping at Alam Baba Mazar. The devotees blocked Train No. 03579 UP by standing in front of the engine. The Right Side Front Window Screen of the engine (Coach No. NE-239032) was broken during the agitation.A case was registered under 145, 146, 153, and 174(a) of the Railway Act. The main instigator, Sheikh Laden, has been arrested.
• June 2, Malda Town station, West Bengal: The train (Train No: DN/EC No. 34003/BCNE) was detained for 18 minutes (from 01:57 to 02:15 hrs) due to the signal light being covered with paper by an unknown individual. RPF/POST/Malda Town, Case No. 238/24 was registered under sections 174(c) and 147 of the Railway Act. On July 23, Pijush Sarkar, 39, a resident of Nimaisarai, Mahanandapally, Malda, was arrested. Pijush Sarkar confessed to covering the signal light. He is a drug and ganja addict, often roaming around railway areas.Pijush Sarkar was prosecuted and presented to the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) of Malda.
• ALSO READ | Gas Cylinder On Railway Track Near Kanpur Triggers Alarm, 12 Detained For Questioning
• February 2, between Vanchi Maniyachchi Junction and Tirunelveli Junction section, Tamil Nadu: Stones were pelted at the train between Vanchi Maniyachchi and Tirunelveli Junction section section, breaking nine window glasses. CCTV footage from the train is being reviewed. Bike patrolling being conducted between Naraikkinar and LC 7; no unusual findings reported.
• October 2, 2023, between Gangrar–Sonyana Stations, Chittorgarh, Rajasthan: Two insulator pins made of iron and stones were placed in the gap of the joggled plate on the railway track. A case was registered under sections 153, 147, and 174 C of the Railways Act against unknown persons. A case was registered under section 336 IPC and section 150 of the Railways Act against unknown persons. Two boys, juveniles, were apprehended. Both boys were sent to the Government Observation Home and Juvenile Home, Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Chittorgarh.
• June 5, south end yard of Manjuri Road Railway Station, Bhadrak, Odisha: A wooden log was found on the railway crossing. A case was registered at RPF/Post/Bhadrak under 153, 174(c), and 147 of the Railway Act against an unknown culprit.