JOIN USRailway police on Sunday claimed to have solved the mystery behind the October 16 train fire at Gulbarga station which left two dead, saying the blaze was caused by a couple setting themselves ablaze in its toilet.
“The fire in the sixth bogie of the Falaknuma passenger train was caused by two lovers immolating themselves in the toilet during its halt at Gulbarga station,” Deputy Inspector General of Police (Railways) Srikantappa told reporters here.
The man has been identified as an auto driver. The woman is a first year college student. Their plan to marry was opposed by her parents and they had beaten her up about 20 days ago, he said.
“Sharanappa and Varsha, who used to meet every day at the station, decided to commit suicide. He had brought two litres of petrol from a bunk and they locked themselves up inside the toilet and set themselves ablaze,” Srikantappa said. Sharanappa’s friend, an eyewitness to the incident, revealed this to the Railway police during questioning.
The mishap occurred when a bogie of the Solapur-bound passenger train from Hyderabad caught fire during its halt at the station in Gulbarga.
There were over 15 passengers in the bogie. Six people jumped to safety.