A troubling incident unfolded at Nagpur Railway Station when 26 children were discovered traveling under suspicious conditions on the Shalimar Express (Train No. 18030). The Railway Protection Force (RPF) acted promptly, taking all the children into protective custody.
The children were deboarded at Nagpur station and quickly brought to the RPF post for their safety. A man traveling with them, thought to be their caretaker or “ustad,” was also detained for questioning.
The matter came to notice when the Station Manager on duty at Platform No. 8 observed a large group of children behaving suspiciously. He promptly alerted the RPF, who responded quickly as soon as the train arrived.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the children were brought from Uttar Pradesh and were allegedly being taken to a madrasa located in the Tajbagh area of Nagpur. The caretaker claimed to possess a permission letter from a local village panchayat in Uttar Pradesh authorizing the transfer.
In light of the seriousness of the situation, officials from the State Minority Commission and a child welfare organization promptly reached Nagpur Railway Station to assess the matter and verify relevant documents. Sources indicate that the document verification process continued late into the night. Meanwhile, representatives from the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) and Childline also visited the RPF post. They interacted with each child individually to gather details about their background and ensure their well-being.
Experts have voiced serious concerns, noting that transporting minors across state borders for religious education or institutional purposes without proper state-level approval is a legal violation. Such movements fall under the purview of the Juvenile Justice Act and child protection laws. According to RPF officials, a comprehensive report is being drafted and will be forwarded to the relevant administrative authorities. The final decision regarding the children’s welfare will be made by the Child Welfare Committee and state officials. At present, all 26 children remain in RPF custody, and efforts are underway to trace and contact their families. The investigation continues, and legal action will be initiated if necessary.
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