Central Railway officials have taken strict legal action against a 55-year-old passenger caught lighting a brass lamp inside an air-conditioned coach of the Hazrat Nizamuddin-Mysore Express (Train No. 12782). The passenger, identified as Gareeb, a resident of Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh, was detrained at Bhusawal railway station in Maharashtra after endangering the lives of fellow passengers by creating a severe fire hazard. Authorities confirmed on Tuesday that incriminating materials, including matches and a lamp, were seized from his possession, and an official case has been registered under the Railway Act, 1989.
Incident Details and Detraining at Bhusawal Station
The incident occurred on August 31 aboard Train No. 12782 during its journey between Hazrat Nizamuddin and Mysore. According to railway officials, passenger Gareeb, occupying berth number 17 in AC coach A-1, lit an open brass flame on his berth to perform a religious ritual. Observing open fire inside the enclosed train coach, concerned passengers alerted the railway administration, prompting a Traveling Ticket Examiner (TTE) to inspect coach A-1 immediately.
Upon reaching berth 17, the ticket examiner found the brass lamp burning and instructed the passenger to extinguish the flame without delay. The TTE explicitly cautioned him that lighting an open flame inside a moving train posed a catastrophic fire threat to railway property and human lives. Despite the warnings, the passenger reportedly insisted on completing his ritual before putting out the flame. The entire altercation and violation were documented by the TTE on his mobile phone camera. When the train arrived at Bhusawal station, railway authorities removed the passenger from the train and recovered a matchbox, a brass lamp, and a steel container from his baggage.
Legal Charges under Railway Act Sections 153 and 145(b)
Central Railway stated that a criminal case was formally registered against the passenger on Tuesday under Section 153 and Section 145(b) of the Railway Act, 1989. Following the completion of mandatory procedural formalities, the individual was released after being served a statutory notice under Section 35(c) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita.
Under the legal framework of Indian Railways, Section 153 of the Railway Act deals with unlawful acts that endanger the safety of rail passengers, carrying a penalty of imprisonment for a term extending up to five years. Furthermore, Section 145(b) addresses the unauthorized transport or use of inflammable substances and nuisance within railway property. Penalties under Section 145(b) include summary removal from railway premises, a monetary fine of Rs 5000, and, depending on the severity of the hazard, imprisonment for up to five years.
Central Railway Issues Strict Safety Advisory
In the wake of this incident, Central Railway issued an urgent public advisory urging all passengers to strictly adhere to fire safety norms. Railway officials reiterated that carrying inflammable items, lighting incense sticks, candles, or open lamps inside train compartments is strictly prohibited and constitutes a punishable offense. Given the presence of synthetic seat cushions, bedding, and electrical wiring, open flames inside coaches can ignite uncontrollable blazes. Central Railway warned that stringent legal measures will continue to be enforced against any passenger compromising railway safety.
