JOIN USMadhya Pradesh Finance Minister Jayant Malaiya was robbed on Thursday near Mathura while travelling in a Delhi-bound train, Jabalpur-Nizamuddin Express.
His wife Sudha Malaiya was also with him. Gold chain, ring and cash were looted from them at a dagger point. The couple lodged an FIR with the Government Railway Police (GRP) at Nizamuddin railway station in the national capital.
The couple had boarded the train at Damoh in Madhya Pradesh.
The rail ministry quickly suspended three constables of the Railway Protection Force (RPF) who were part of the escorting team of the train. They also instituted an enquiry against the erring constables. Ministerial sources told Deccan Herald that the Director General of the RPF called the Director General of Uttar Pradesh Police for follow up actions in the case.
“The RPF party escorting the train has been suspended,” said railway spokesperson Anil Saxena.
The couple were robbed between Agra and Mathura stations. The robbers were masked. They entered the AC-1 coupe of the minister by pretending as railway staff.
“We were travelling by Jabalpur- Nizamuddin Express train to Delhi and boarded at Damoh. There was a knock at the door at 4 am and when I opened the door a person carrying dagger entered forcefully. He was followed by four others,” Sudha Malaiya told reporters.
“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. One of the robbers tried to pull out the ring but could not succeed,” she said.
She said that the accused also robbed passengers in the adjoining coupe. She, however, said that other passengers were saved because of RPF personnel. Train was stopped by pulling the chain and robbers left as soon as the RPF arrived.”