Crime
Commuter Groups Slam ‘Illegal’ Railway Strike In Mumbai; Demand ESMA Action And Fresh Probe Into Mumbra, Sandhurst Railway Accidents
The agitation by railway employees that disrupted Mumbai’s suburban train services on Thursday has sparked outrage among commuter associations, who have condemned the strike as illegal and demanded strict action under the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA). Commuter groups are now also demanding a transparent probe into the Mumbra incident and Thursday’s rail accident, in which two people died and three were injured, as well as strict action against those responsible for paralyzing the city’s lifeline.
Madhu Kotian, President of the Mumbai Railway Pravasi Sangh, criticized the railway worker union’s actions, calling the disruption “illegal and irresponsible.” He said, “The railway union’s agitation was illegal. They illegally stopped local trains for hours. ESMA should be applied to the agitators.” Kotian also accused the union of unfairly targeting commuters, who had no role in the ongoing Mumbra investigation. “Whenever anything happens to a railway employee, the union reacts immediately. Why did they target commuters?” he asked.
He further alleged that railway authorities routinely ignore commuter safety concerns. “Whenever an accident occurs, the railway forms a committee comprising only senior officers. No one questions their reports, and they always protect their employees,” Kotian added.
Echoing similar sentiments, Siddhesh Desai, Vice President of the Mumbai Pravasi Sangh, said, “Everyone has a right to protest, but during Thursday’s agitation, the railway employees’ union targeted the public. They stopped essential services, yet no one was arrested.” Desai pointed out that the Government Railway Police (GRP) had filed an FIR in the Mumbra incident based on a report by the Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute (VJTI). “The railway is trying to hide something and put pressure on the GRP,” he alleged. Desai added that his organization, the Mumbai Pravasi Sangh, is planning to meet Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to discuss the issue.
Lata Argade, Secretary of the Suburban Railway Pravasi Mahasangh, also demanded legal action against the agitators. “Our organization met the Divisional Railway Manager and the General Manager, demanding that a case be filed against the agitators. The preliminary investigation regarding the Mumbra incident might reveal many things. The engineers were responsible, and instead of cooperating, they started an agitation,” she said.
Lata Argade further added that she wants a fresh investigation of the Mumbai rail tragedy by a retired judge, and also wants a job for a relative of the deceased in the Mumbai accident.
“It is absolutely incorrect. The committee appointed by the railways to look into the incident should present its impartial report, and then action should be taken based on that. Going on a sudden strike is irresponsible and cruel,” said Rishi Aggrawal, a transport expert.
Jitendra Vishe, General Secretary of the Railways Passengers Association Federation, said, “The Railways must ensure smooth and uninterrupted travel for all passengers. Strict action should be taken against those who stopped the train and disrupted services.”
Similarly, Mansoor Darvesh, a commuter rights activist, stated, “The authorities seem to be taking passengers for granted and resorting to emotional blackmail to press their demands. Such actions are unacceptable and set a wrong precedent. The railway authorities should take firm action against those responsible.”
Passenger activist and rail accident victim Samir Zaveri said, “The Government Railway Police has registered an FIR, supported by prima facie evidence, against two railway engineers in connection with the tragic deaths of five passengers during the incident that occurred at Mumbra on June 9. While there are legal remedies available for the accused to challenge the criminal charges through due court procedures, on November 6, 2025, members of the Railway Employees Union organized a protest and obstructed the departure of suburban trains from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) for approximately one hour in an attempt to exert pressure on the authorities.”
Zaveri further added, “This illegal disruption resulted in the unfortunate deaths of two passengers and injuries to three others near Sandhurst Road Railway Station. The railway administration should fix accountability for this misconduct and take strict departmental action, including dismissal from service, against those responsible for organizing and participating in the unlawful protest that endangered public safety. Furthermore, the Railway Police need to register an FIR under relevant criminal laws, including provisions of the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA), against the railway employees responsible for holding up train operations.”
Regular commuters also expressed anger over the repeated accidents and poor safety measures. Megha Sood, who travels daily from Dombivli to South Mumbai, said, “Travelling by train, especially on the Central line, is very difficult. People are dying, yet the railway authorities don’t seem to be taking it seriously. I demand a fair investigation into both the Mumbra and Sandhurst Road incidents.”
Commuter Rakesh Sherlekar, who travels daily from Badlapur to CSMT, questioned the railway’s preparedness and accountability. “People have been dying while travelling by train, but the railway administration is not taking it seriously. Even a delay of just two minutes can create chaos as crowds swell on platforms,” he said.
Thursday’s agitation, triggered by an FIR filed against railway engineers in connection with the Mumbra mishap, brought Central Railway services to a halt, stranding thousands of passengers.
However, when contacted, a senior railway official stated that although the workers were upset for certain reasons, they were able to resolve the issue promptly through discussion.
According to sources, over the past few decades, motormen have repeatedly resorted to such actions, often with the aim of protecting their interests. However, keeping in mind the unity of the workers, the railway administration thinks carefully several times before taking any strict measures.
Crime
NEET aspirant dies by suicide in Delhi days before re-exam

New Delhi, June 17: Days before lakhs of students are set to appear for the NEET-UG re-examination on June 21, a NEET aspirant allegedly died by suicide in Delhi.
The deceased, identified as Renu, lived with her family in the Palam area of South-West Delhi. According to reports, she had appeared for the NEET examination on May 3 and had reportedly been suffering from depression after the examination was cancelled.
Police said that on June 13, Renu’s father had gone to his in-laws’ residence following the death of his father-in-law. Renu was alone at home when the incident occurred. She allegedly died by hanging herself on the evening of June 13.
A suicide note recovered from the spot revealed her emotional distress. In the note, she apologised to her parents and wrote that she had been unable to fulfil their aspirations. The family is originally from Rajasthan.
The incident comes amid growing concern over the mental well-being of students preparing for highly competitive examinations, particularly after the controversy surrounding the NEET examination and allegations of paper leaks.
Earlier this week, a 22-year-old NEET aspirant died by suicide in Rajasthan’s Sikar district. The student, identified as Umesh Mali, was preparing for his third attempt at the NEET examination, which is scheduled to be held on June 21.
This was the second case of a NEET aspirant dying by suicide in Sikar, highlighting the mounting pressure faced by students preparing for competitive entrance examinations.
According to police, Umesh was a native of Nawalgarh in Jhunjhunu district. His father works as a tile contractor in Mumbai. Umesh had been residing in a flat in the Udyog Nagar police station area of Sikar along with his mother, elder sister, and younger brother while preparing for the examination.
In another similar incident reported on Tuesday, a 23-year-old woman in Dehradun allegedly ended her life after reportedly struggling to clear the NEET examination. She left behind a note addressed to her parents that read, “Mummy-Papa, I love you.”
According to investigators, preliminary findings suggest that she had been preparing for the NEET examination for a long time and aspired to pursue a career in medicine.
Meanwhile, NTA Director General Abhishek Singh on Tuesday assured aspirants that the re-examination would be conducted in a secure and error-free manner, while cautioning students and parents against social media rackets claiming to sell “leaked papers” for hefty sums.
In a video message, Singh said there was “no leaked paper for the re-exam” and warned candidates against falling prey to fraudsters operating through Telegram channels.
He said the temporary suspension of the Telegram application till June 22 was aimed at curbing fake news and misleading claims relating to the examination.
Crime
CISF foils smuggling bid at IGI Airport; seizes 1.21 kg gold, unaccounted cash

New Delhi, June 17: The CISF personnel at Terminal-1 of Indira Gandhi International Airport on Wednesday intercepted a passenger bound for Kolkata after noticing suspicious behaviour during security screening. A detailed frisking led to the recovery of 1.210 kg of gold concealed in the passenger’s clothing, along with Rs 1,97,200 in unaccounted cash. Upon questioning, the passenger failed to produce any valid documents or provide a satisfactory explanation regarding the recovered items.
During the proceedings, the passenger allegedly attempted to influence the on-duty CISF personnel to avoid legal action. However, the CISF staff displayed exemplary integrity by rejecting the offer and promptly reporting the matter to senior authorities.
The passenger, along with the seized gold and cash, was subsequently handed over to the Income Tax Department for further investigation and legal action.
The successful interception highlights the vigilance, professionalism, and unwavering integrity of CISF personnel in safeguarding the nation’s civil aviation sector and reinforces their commitment to the motto of ensuring “Safe Airports, Secure Nation”.
Earlier on June 4, the CISF personnel intercepted a foreign national at the Mumbai airport and recovered illicit foreign currency worth Rs 1.39 crore, being carried by him in his luggage.
The foreign national was subsequently taken into custody and handed over to the Customs officials at the airport for further interrogation and action.
According to CISF officials, the said passenger was travelling from Mumbai to Addis Ababa with the unaccounted cash.
The foreign national, while checking in for the scheduled flight, came under the scanner of vigilant officials after the latter observed some suspicious objects in his baggage during screening at the X-BIS system. The X-ray image of his belongings created some suspicion, prompting the CISF officials to carry out a detailed examination of his hand luggage.
It was during baggage screening that the CISF personnel stumbled upon a suspicious bag, belonging to a traveller of foreign origin, and then dug deeper into the scanned image. An uncleared foreign currency amounting to USD 145,000 (approx Rs 1.39 crore) was found in his bag and subsequently seized by the authorities.
Crime
Accused in Rs 2 crore Pune embezzlement case arrested in Nashik

Nashik (Maharashtra), June 16: An absconding accused in a Rs 2 crore embezzlement case registered in Pune was arrested in Maharashtra’s Nashik on Tuesday, police said.
According to a complaint filed by Kiran Dadasaheb Shinde, 38, with Pune police, the responsibility for flat sales and related activities across four buildings (A, B, C, and D) of the ‘Ganga Fernhill’ project had been entrusted to Senior Sales Manager Simon Ronnie Peter, 42, but he allegedly, instead of depositing the proceeds from flat sales into the company’s account, transferred the funds to a fraudulent private bank account belonging to his associate, B. Chandrashekhar, thereby embezzling approximately Rs 2 crore collected from 32 customers.
Based on the complaint, a case was registered at Pune’s Kalepadal Police Station on June 9 (Crime No. 257/2026), under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.
However, following the registration of the case, Peter went absconding and even switched off his mobile phone to evade arrest.
During the course of the investigation, Pune police received information that the accused was hiding in Nashik city and officials from Kalepadal Police Station contacted Senior Police Inspector Ashok Sharmale of the Gangapur Police Station and sought assistance in tracing and apprehending Peter.
Acting on credible intelligence, Sharmale learned that the accused Peter had arrived in Nashik in a car and was staying in Room No. 301 of Hotel Treebo Sapphire in Kalenagar on Gangapur Road.
Upon receiving the information, Crime Investigation Team officer Ghanshyam Bhoye and his team were immediately dispatched to the location. Acting swiftly, the police team detained the accused and subsequently handed him over to the Pune police for further legal proceedings.
The operation was successfully carried out under the leadership of Senior Police Inspector Sharmale of the Gangapur Police Station, and his team, including Assistant Sub-Inspector Tushar Deore and Police Head Constables Ravindra Mohite, Girish Mahale, Bhagwat Thavil, Ghanshyam Bhoye, Pravin Kedare, Gorakh Salunke, Sujit Jadhav, and Tulshidas Chaudhary.
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