UP MLA's daughter robbed onboard Express train

Mathura, Jan 23: The daughter of an RLD MLA was robbed of cash and valuables worth Rs 4 lakh when she was travelling in an AC-II coach of Jabalpur-Delhi train, following which scores of party activists led by the legislator staged a dharna at Mathura Junction today.

The incident took place early this morning when Bhavana Prakash, the daughter of RLD MLA from Baldev constituency Pooran Prakash, was travelling from Jabalpur to Mathura in Mahakaushal Express, along with her two children. Based on a complaint of Bhavana, a case has been registered at Agra Cantt station.

"The attendant of the coach, who has been taken into custody by RPF in Jhansi, is being interrogated," Superintendent of Police (Railways), Agra G N Khanna said. When contacted, SP (Railways), Jhansi R B Saroj, however, said, "I am not aware of the incident. I will comment only when I would know the details."

Meanwhile, hundreds of RLD activists, led by the legislator, staged a dharna at platform number 2/3 of Mathura Junction this morning, demanding that the conductor and the attendant of the coach be arrested. "Book conductor and attendant of the coach for conniving with the gang of thieves. Ornaments and cash, worth over Rs four lakh, were stolen from my daughter Bhavana Prakash when she was travelling in A-1 coach of the train.

The incident took place between Jhansi and Dabara stations this morning," the MLA said in a separate complaint submitted to Inspector of GRP station at Mathura Junction Pankaj Lavania. The dharna was withdrawn after the authorities assured the protesters of action.

"I cried for help when I found my purse containing two Apple mobile phones, ornaments and cash worth over Rs 4 lakh missing. Finding neither security personnel nor any railway staff, we pulled the chain between Jhansi and Dabara stations.

"To my surprise, when I lodged a complaint with the conductor, he casually said that such incidents are common here," said Bhavana, who was travelling along with her two children -- seven-year-old Harsh Vardhan and five-year-old Harshita. The legislator said, "We will start a rail roko if timely action is not taken."

PTI