Train passenger complains against Government Railway Police who accused him of watching porn and stole his money on the Pune-Howrah Express train earlier this month

On Friday, Pune Government Railway Police arrested a trio of Government Railway Police (GRP) officers for harassing a passenger on the Pune-Howrah Express train earlier this month.

Identified as Amar Gopichand Polke (42), Sunil Vatkar (35) and Balu Patole (38), the accused confiscated the complainant’s cellphone, claiming he had pornographic material on it. The victim, identified as Sion Sajalkumar Das, 28, was abused and robbed of Rs 1,500.

The incident

Das, a Kolkata-based cook who worked in Pune, was travelling to his hometown, in Pargana district on the Pune Howrah Express last month. Since the train was fully reserved, Das sat near the toilet and dozed off. "A policeman kicked me and asked me for my cellphone. I told him I had a ticket which was not confirmed and would pay the extra fine,” said Das.

The three constables allegedly abused him for watching porn clips. "They refused to return my phone and even the TC turned a blind eye. I had all my savings to pay my child’s school fees, which they took and forced me to get off at Daund," said Das. He managed to reach his hometown with his head bleeding and with the Rs 2,000 he had stashed in his pocket. On hearing similar incidents experienced by his friends on the same train, he lodged a complaint.

Vishwa Pansare, railway superintendent, Pune Division, said, "The case, which was registered with Howrah police station on May 23, has been transferred to our station as the incident took place here. We have arrested the three constables on the basis of description and time of travel. Once the complainant identifies them, we will conduct an internal inquiry against them."

Inspector Abhay Parmar, in-charge of Pune railway station, said, "Passengers had earlier complained but no one was ready to lodge a complaint. We didn’t know that our policemen were involved in it."

On Saturday, the trio was produced before the court of Judicial magistrate (first class) and has been remanded to police custody till Monday.