Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai

Mumbai, Sep 23: A key witness in the shocking Jaipur–Mumbai Central Superfast Express shooting described the terrifying scene to a Mumbai court on Monday, recalling how she saw a “bearded” passenger lying in a pool of blood after being shot twice.

The 29-year-old woman, travelling with a friend on July 31, 2023, testified before Additional Sessions Judge Y B Pathan that she woke around 5.30 am to find a man running from the pantry car, chased by Railway Protection Force (RPF) constable Chetan Singh Chaudhary.

“When I asked the RPF person if something had happened, he just stared at me angrily,” she said, adding that Chaudhary later blocked the washroom and glared when her friend tried to pass. Moments later, he allegedly argued with a bearded passenger before firing two shots.

The victim was among four people killed that morning, including Chaudhary’s senior, Assistant Sub-Inspector Tika Ram Meena. Chaudhary was arrested near the tracks soon after and dismissed from service.

During her deposition, the witness said she was too frightened to approach the bloodied victim and only learned further details of the rampage after returning home and seeing news reports. She identified Chaudhary, who appeared via video link, as the assailant.
Chaudhary faces charges under IPC sections 302 (murder) and 153-A (promoting enmity), along with provisions of the Railways Act and Maharashtra Prevention of Defacement of Property Act.