Karnataka - Bangalore

Two ticket collectors, four RPF men transferred

Staff Reporter

`The evidence indicated that the complainant did not produce the platform ticket when demanded and pushed two ticket collectors who asked for the ticket'

BANGALORE: The South Western Railway (SWR) has transferred two ticket collectors and four Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel allegedly involved in manhandling a management professional on September 30 here, after issuing charge sheets for major penalty proceedings.

The South Western Railway is not contemplating any action against Nimish V. Adani, the complainant, for not having platform ticket as he withdrew his complaint.

The South Western Railway, however, did not rule out the Government Railway Police proceeding against Mr. Adani for allegedly preventing government servants from performing their duty and assaulting them.

Divisional Railway Manager Mahesh Kumar told presspersons here on Monday, "Though we could have continued with our inquiry and initiated action against the complainant Mr. Adani as it could not be established that he had a platform ticket, we do not contemplate any such action in good faith." He said the ticket vending machine from which Mr. Adani reportedly bought the ticket was out of order from 4.30 p.m. on September 30 till the next morning. He said Mr. Adani was present throughout the inquiry held on October 6 and was allowed to counter the statements given by railway officials and two independent witnesses. The evidence indicated that the complainant did not produce the platform ticket when demanded and pushed two ticket collectors who asked for the ticket, following which the RPF personnel apprehended him.

Mr. Kumar said, "We do not endorse our personnel engaging in a scuffle with passengers even if provoked and hence awarded the maximum penalty against them."

A stranger, Srinivas, who according to Mr. Adani was in nexus with railway officials to cheat passengers, was also traced on October 8.

Mr. Srinivas said that he was another passenger in the station and tried to help Mr. Adani. He also disclosed during inquiry that Mr. Adani was drunk at that time. Mr. Adani, who was called to counter Mr. Srinivas, finally accepted that the latter was not a "cheat" as alleged by him. Statements of railway personnel, independent witnesses and Mr. Srinivas were signed by Mr. Adani and he was given full opportunity of being heard, Mr. Kumar said. Mr. Adani wrote to the Divisional Railway Manager on October 10 stating that he was withdrawing the complaint after being satisfied with the prompt action taken by the Railways.

Mr. Adani had on October 4 alleged that railway personnel on September 30 manhandled him at Bangalore City Railway Station after he saw off his fiancée and her mother, through e-mails sent out to his friends and well wishers.

The incident was reported in newspapers and the South Western Railway had ordered an inquiry based on the e-mails and news reports.

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