02 August,2023 07:22 AM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah Khan
Sayed Saifuddin alias Saif, 43, at his shop in Hyderabad
The third passenger, who was among the four killed by RPF constable Chetan Kumar Singh aboard Jaipur-Mumbai Superfast Express on Monday, has been identified by his 76-year-old employer. Jaffar Khan identified Sayed Saifuddin alias Saif, 43, through a picture from the train, which was circulated by the city police. Both are residents of Hyderabad in Telangana.
According to police sources, Saif's body was found near the pantry in the train. They were only able to establish that he was travelling in compartment B2 with reservations for seat Nos. 62 and 64. Khan, a Hyderabad-based businessman, told mid-day that they were travelling together on that fateful day, and yet, he learned about Saif's demise late Monday night.
According to Khan, Saif ran a mobile shop in Hyderabad while also working for him as caretaker since the past 15 years. Saif would accompany Khan on his trips across the country to visit religious shrines.
On July 26, Khan along with Saif flew out of Hyderabad to visit Ajmer Sharif Dargah in Rajasthan, Khan said. Two days later, they travelled via road to Jaipur, from where they were to travel to Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh to visit another dargah. However, Khan cancelled that plan because of the rain, and instead decided to visit his brother in Mumbai.
"We tried booking a ticket on July 30, but all the flights were late in the evening. Our agent then suggested that we take the Jaipur-Mumbai Central Superfast, which Saif and I boarded at 2 pm," he added.
Recalling the incident, a teary-eyed Khan said, "As per my routine, I got up around 4.15 am for namaz. Then, I woke up Saif and he had just stood up when constable Singh came to him, grabbed his collar and pointed his service rifle at his chest. When I asked what the matter was, Singh then pointed his rifle at my chest. Meanwhile, a passenger in their berth said that he was an RPF constable and needed to question Saif for something."
Saif away while he waited for him to return, adding that they were to alight at Borivli station as his brother resided in Andheri. However, when Saif did not return, Khan decided to get down at Mumbai Central. In the meantime, he called his brother to send someone to pick him up at Mumbai Central.
"I thought Saif will be released after an inquiry by the officer. But, he did not return. After getting down at Mumbai Central, I enquired with a ticket checker, who said that four passengers of my train had been killed. So, many people were being questioned. But I never thought that Saif was among those four," Khan said. Khan said he remembers seeing Singh stabbing someone with his rifle.
Two brothers of Saif arrived in the city on Tuesday night to take home his mortal remains. Saif, the sole breadwinner, is survived by his wife Anjum and three daughters, aged 5 years, 3.5 years and two-and-a-half-months. He originally hailed from Bidar in Karnataka, but had been residing near the Bazargath area in Hyderabad.
