Social Worker Assaulted By IRCTC Staff On Gitanjali Express Over Food Complaint

A social worker and other passengers were allegedly beaten by pantry car employees on the Howrah-Mumbai Gitanjali Express after they voiced concerns about the food's quality and cost. On April 6, the train was approaching Badnera station when the altercation occurred.

Ambarnath social worker Satyajit Burman was on his way back to Mumbai from a trip to Kolkata for work. Burman heard passengers arguing with pantry car staff about the amount and price of food being served as the train approached Badnera. Despite being asked to pay more, the passengers claimed that the food packets contained less than the standard weight required by IRCTC.

Burman stepped in and offered to help sort things out. As advised by the staff, he went to the pantry car with three other passengers, Maidul Mallik, Ashiqul Haq, and Najrul Sheikh, to weigh the food packets. But things got out of hand when they went into the pantry.

The manager of the pantry car accused Burman of inciting the passengers. He complained that the staff had taken away his phone, beaten him, and made him stay in the pantry car. The other travelers were reportedly intimidated and forced to return to their compartments in the meantime.

Through the helpline, one of the assaulted passengers was able to get in touch with the Railway Protection Force (RPF). After more than an hour, RPF officers arrived on the scene, rescued Burman, and led him back to his seat.

When the train arrived in Kalyan the next day, Burman informed the Kalyan Government Railway Police (GRP) about the incident. In accordance with pertinent provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Act, a case was filed against seven IRCTC employees, including Suman Karan, Ranjeet Behera, and five unnamed people. Since the incident happened within the Badnera GRP's jurisdiction, the case has since been transferred to them for additional investigation.

Renowned railway activist Samir Zaveri denounced the incident and criticized the actions of contractors hired by the IRCTC. To guarantee passenger safety and service standards on Indian trains, he demanded stringent measures, increased transparency, and sporadic inspections.