Mumbai Sessions Court Grants Probation To 30-Year-Old Man Who Escaped RPF Custody After Ticketless Train Travel, Cites Employment Concerns

Mumbai: The sessions court has released a 30-year-old man on probation, observing that sentencing would pose a hurdle in securing employment. He was caught travelling without a ticket, allegedly manhandled a Railway Protection Force (RPF) officer, and escaped from custody in March 2021.

The accused, Rahul Pawar, a resident of Koparkhairne, was booked following a complaint filed by the chief ticket inspector on April 1, 2021. Around 3pm, Pawar was found without a valid ticket. The ticket checker then sought assistance from the RPF, requesting that the accused be taken to the Belapur office for further action.

Pawar reportedly resisted. Despite this, the officials managed to get him onto a train bound for Belapur. Upon arrival, he allegedly attempted to flee. As the RPF officer tried to restrain him, Pawar pushed him and escaped by scaling a wall. The prosecution stated he also hurled abuses and issued threats to the personnel involved, prompting a case.

Public prosecutor Ramesh Siroya examined 10 witnesses, including the checker, an RPF official, and an eyewitness. One squad member had recorded the incident, and the footage became key evidence. The court, relying on both video and testimonies, convicted Pawar.

In his defence, Pawar said he was under financial stress, had no malicious intent, and was forcibly taken away. He claimed he fled in fear.

While seeking leniency, he informed the court that his father had recently passed away due to a heart attack, and he is now the sole breadwinner. Taking this into account, the court granted him probation for one year.

The court noted, “There are no criminal antecedents to the discredit of the accused. Also, there is nothing to show that he has caused any harm to any citizen. The incident is an exception in his peaceful career… Even a fine may create a hurdle in getting employment for him.”