MP minister, wife robbed at gun point on train near Mathura - Times of India

Agra/New Delhi: More than a dozen gun-wielding masked men robbed Madhya Pradesh finance minister Jayant Malaiya and his wife early on Thursday morning while they were travelling to New Delhi in the Jabalpur-Nizamuddin Express. Two more passengers in the same coach as the minister were also looted. The incident took place between Kosi Kalan and Ballabgarh stations in Agra division.

According to railway officials, three Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel who were escorting the train have been suspended for the security lapse.

Speaking with TOI, Gopeshnath Khanna, superintendent of police, GRP, Agra division, said, "Around 330 am, several kilometres away from Kosi Kalan station, nearly a dozen masked men barged into the minister's AC-I coach and looted the couple at gunpoint. Before getting off the train, the dacoits also looted belongings from two other co-passengers (identified as Kamal Shruti and Abhijit Thakur) in the same coach."

A peeved Sudha Malaiyya later said the 24-coach train had only three RPF personnel armed with AK 47s which they were not authorised to fire. "I am disturbed as there is no system to take stock of the situation. RPF men said only three of them patrol the train and carry arms that cannot be used even during a crisis. They said bullets are counted and cannot be used."

When the finance minister asked RPF to call the next station to register an FIR, the call was made to New Delhi station. "The train is going to Nizamuddin and the call was made to New Delhi main station. We thought police would arrive at the platform to register FIRs. There were no cops even after the call was made at 4.25 am to Delhi control room. Anything can happen to passengers on trains," Sudha Malaiyya added, fuming.

Khanna, though, said his men had done their best. "When confronted, the miscreants started pelting stones at the security personnel, following which two rounds were also fired by the jawans, but the gang managed to flee."

RP Tomar, assistant commandant, RPF, Agra division, told TOI: "Later, an FIR was registered with GRP at Hazrat Nizamuddin station. We are waiting to get it transferred to us before we proceed with further investigation."

As per the FIR, Malaiya was robbed of Rs 50,000 in cash, a gold chain, his wife's mangalsutra, gold rings, a bracelet and other belongings. In another complaint lodged by the other couple, Kamal and Abhijit Thakur claimed to have lost belongings worth Rs 6,62,000.

Despite efforts, the minister who was said to be in Parliament could not be contacted. Sudha Malaiya said her husband will meet railway minister Suresh Prabhu and inform him about the incident.

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