In a shocking incident aboard the Howrah-Mumbai Gitanjali Express, a railway passenger was allegedly assaulted and held captive by Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) canteen staff near Badnera, Amravati on April 6. A video capturing a heated argument between the staff and the passenger has since gone viral on social media.
The incident came to light after social worker Satyajit Burman, who was travelling from Kolkata to Mumbai, intervened in a dispute between fellow passengers and the pantry staff. Passengers had reportedly complained that they were being served food packets weighing less than the standard set by IRCTC, and were being charged extra.
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◆ गीतांजलि एक्सप्रेस में सामाजिक कार्यकर्ता को स्टाफ ने बनाया बंधक, वीडियो वायरल
◆ सत्यजीत बर्मन ने IRCTC के 7 कर्मचारियों पर दर्ज कराया केस #ViralStory #IRCTC #IndiaNews pic.twitter.com/GAXOaPdKDn
According to Burman, when he questioned the staff and accompanied the passengers to the pantry car to verify the claims, he was met with hostility. The pantry manager allegedly accused him of inciting passengers, snatched his phone, physically assaulted him, and forcibly confined him inside the pantry car. Burman also claimed that other staff members threatened and physically pushed the passengers back to their compartments.
In the video that has emerged, a canteen staff member can be heard justifying the portion size, saying, “Ye wajan kara hua aata hai 210ml” (This comes pre-weighed at 210 ml). The argument escalates as Burman responds to accusations, following which the altercation allegedly turned violent.
One of the passengers reportedly alerted authorities through the RPF helpline, prompting police intervention. Burman was rescued and escorted back to his seat. Upon reaching Kalyan, he approached the Kalyan Government Railway Police (GRP) and filed a formal complaint on April 7.
Based on his complaint, the Kalyan GRP has registered a case under the BNS Act against seven IRCTC employees, including identified staff members Ranjeet Behera and Suman Karan, along with five others yet to be identified.
Investigations are underway as railway authorities face mounting pressure to address the issue and ensure passenger safety aboard long-distance trains.