Daijiworld Media Network

New Delhi, Mar 19: Madhya Pradesh's Minister of State for Finance, Jayant Malaiya was divested, on a train near Mathura, of Rs 20,000 in cash and a gold ring by unidentified robbers, on Thursday. Three members of Railway Police Force (RPF) who were accompanying the minister and his wife for their protection have been dismissed and an enquiry has been ordered into the matter.

The minister's wife Sudha Malaiya who was with her husband on this journey said, "We were travelling by Jabalpur-Nizamuddin Express train to Delhi and we boarded the train at Damoh. There was a knock at the door of our coupe at about 4am and when I opened the door a person carrying dagger entered forcefully followed by four others. Then they snatched my purse, chain and ring. They also took away money from my husband's purse. There was another ring on my left hand which was not coming out and they threatened to cut my finger. However, one of the robbers tried to pull that ring but could not succeed."

The minister and his wife were in an AC compartment and travelling from Damoh to Delhi aboard the Jabalpur-Nizamuddin Express train when the incident occurred. Sudha Malaiya said that the robbers robbed people from the neighbouring compartment too and it was because of the RPF personnel that other people were saved. The train was stopped as one of the passengers pulled the emergency chain and the RPF response team was quick to arrive. The robbers fled upon the arrival of the officials.

She had confirmed that she along with her husband will be meeting Central Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu with regards to the incident. The issue has already been brought to Parliament by Bharatiya Janata Party Member of Parliament Prahalad Patel.