Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Feb 8: The Railway Protection Force (RPF) has registered an FIR after a male commuter, allegedly disguised in a burqa, was found travelling in a ladies’ compartment of a Central Railway local train on Friday. The accused is currently absconding, officials said.

The incident came to light after a video recorded by passengers went viral on social media, drawing widespread attention.

According to officials, the episode unfolded on Friday afternoon aboard a fast local train heading towards Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT). Women travelling in the second-class ladies’ coach grew suspicious of a co-passenger wearing a burqa and questioned the individual. During the exchange, it was discovered that the person was a man.

Passengers reportedly confronted him over boarding the ladies’ compartment and wearing the burqa. As tensions rose, some women began recording the incident on their mobile phones and warned that he would be handed over to the police at the next stop, Ghatkopar station.

However, before the train could halt, the man allegedly jumped off the moving train onto the tracks and fled towards another platform. He then boarded a Karjat-bound local train to evade capture.

The women passengers alighted at Ghatkopar station and immediately reported the matter to on-duty police personnel. Railway authorities reviewed CCTV footage at the station, but the suspect was not captured on camera. Subsequent checks were conducted on the Karjat-bound local train at Mulund station, but the accused had already disembarked by then.

Following the circulation of the video online, the RPF registered a case under the Indian Railways Act for unauthorised travel in a ladies’ compartment. Officials said efforts are ongoing to identify and trace the accused.