Train passenger deboarded, booked for lighting 'diya' on berth, says central railway

A 55-year-old passenger was deboarded from a long-distance train and a police case was registered against him for allegedly lighting a 'diya' (lamp) on his berth while performing prayers, officials said on Tuesday.

The Central Railway (CR) appealed to passengers not to carry inflammable articles or light diyas, candles or incense sticks inside trains, warning that such acts could lead to fires and endanger the lives of travellers.

Officials said the incident took place aboard Train No. 12782 (Hazrat Nizamuddin-Mysuru Express) on August 31. After being alerted, authorities sent a ticket checking staffer to coach A-1, where the passenger, identified as Gariba of Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh, had lit a diya on berth No. 17, the CR said.

A matchbox, a brass diya and a steel container were recovered from the passenger, who was deboarded at Bhusaval station for further action, the release said.

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It said that the TTE (travelling ticket examiner) had asked the passenger to extinguish the open flame, explaining that it could cause a fire and endanger passengers and railway property. However, the passenger allegedly insisted on completing his prayers before putting it out.

The incident was also recorded on the TTE's mobile phone, the Central Railway said.

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According to the release, a case was registered against the passenger on Tuesday under Sections 153 and 145(B) of the Railways Act, 1989. After completion of legal formalities, he was released on notice under Section 35(c) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, it said.

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The section 153 of the Railways Act provides for imprisonment of up to five years for acts endangering the safety of passengers, while Section 145(B) deals with carrying or using inflammable articles and provides for penalties including removal from railway premises, fine of ₹5,000 and, in certain circumstances, imprisonment up to five years, it added.