Mumbai train firing: Accused constable Chetan Singh remanded to police custody till August 7

Railway Protection Force (RPF) Constable Chetan Kumar Choudhary who fired from his automatic weapon, killing an RPF Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) and three other passengers of the Jaipur-Mumbai Central Express on Monday, July 31, 2023. PTI Photo

A court in Mumbai on Tuesday remanded the Railway Protection Force (RPF) constable Chetan Singh (34) to police custody till August 7, Press Trust of India reported.

A tragedy unfolded in Mumbai in the wee hours of Monday on board the moving Jaipur-Mumbai Central Express train where the Railway Protection Force (RPF) constable shot dead his senior and three passengers near Palghar station on Mumbai's outskirts.

The assailant was nabbed with his weapon while trying to flee after passengers pulled the chain of the train which stopped near Mira Road station (on the Mumbai suburban network) at around 6 am, but the motive behind the chilling incident was not yet known.

Constable Chetan Singh (34) shot dead RPF Assistant Sub-Inspector Tika Ram Meena and another passenger in B5 coach with his automatic weapon after 5 AM. He then shot dead another passenger in the pantry car five coaches away and went on to kill one more passenger in S6 coach, which is 8th bogie from the B5 coach, an official said.

Members of a high-level committee, set up to conduct a probe into the incident of a RPF constable shooting dead four persons on a train, reached Mumbai on Tuesday and they are expected to meet officials concerned, authorities said.

The Railway Board has set up the five-member committee to conduct a "comprehensive inquiry" into the incident which took place on Monday on the Jaipur-Mumbai Central Express train, an official said.

Also read: Hate-fuelled rage goes off the rails

The probe committee comprises the principal chief security commissioners of the Western Railway and the Central Railway, the principal chief commercial manager of the North Western Railway, the principal chief medical director of the North Central Railway and the principal chief personnel officer of the West Central Railway.

According to railway officials, the panel has been asked to submit its report on the train firing incident to the Railway Board in the next three months.

"An ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh has been announced for the passengers who died in this unfortunate incident. The family of ASI Tikaram will receive dues as per service rules," a statement from the Western Railway said.

Following the incident accused constable Chetan Singh nabbed with his weapon while trying to flee after passengers pulled the chain of the train which stopped near Mira Road station (on the Mumbai suburban network). (Agencies)