How 3 debt-ridden men plotted train derailment in Gujarat to rob passengers

RAJKOT: A plot to derail a train near Botad was unearthed on Tuesday with the arrest of three people who reportedly confessed to the devious scheme so that they could rob the injured passengers and repay heavy debt.

Police and other law enforcement agencies had initiated a probe into the attempt to derail the Okha-Bhavnagar train in Kundli village of Botad district on Sept 25.

Those arrested were Ramesh alias Ramdudiyo Saliya (55), Hira (24), and Jayesh alias Jalo Bawaliya.

During preliminary interrogation, the trio revealed that they were financially distressed due to debts and planned to derail the train to rob passengers of their money and jewellery. "Eight to 10 days prior to attempting the sabotage, they watched many videos on YouTube on how to derail trains. They also watched some videos on train robberies," said Maharashi Rawal, deputy superintendent of police, Botad.

Along with the Ranpur police, Special Operations Group (SOG), Local Crime Branch (LCB), the National Investigation Agency (NIA), and Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) had also joined the investigation and hunt for suspects.

The prime accused, Ramesh, worked as a sharecropper near the railway track and he knew about the timings of several trains, especially those that run post-midnight. After surveying the railway line on Sept 24, they dug a hole on the track around 2:30am and placed four feet long iron rods on the track to derail the Okha-Bhavnagar train. When the train arrived around 3 am, they fled the scene on their motorcycles. However, the train did not derail as the loco driver applied breaks after the engine hit the rods.

Investigation officer Mayurdhwajsinh Jadeja said several people living or working near the railway track were questioned. Cops got to know that a day after the incident, a person named Ramesh alias Ramudiyo was not seen on the farm where he worked. Using human intelligence, they narrowed down on Ramesh and picked him up for questioning.

Preliminary inquiry revealed that he had debts amounting to Rs 3 lakh to Rs 4 lakh. Sources said Ramesh, during questioning, claimed he had borrowed different amounts from acquaintances at different times. Ramesh confessed that he took the help of Jayesh, his relative.

Police will seek 11 days remand of the three to find out more details of the plot.

They were booked under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, Railways Act, and Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.

The incident came a few days after three railway employees were arrested in Surat for alleged track tampering and alerting authorities about a "sabotage attempt" to take credit for averting a possible tragedy and get a cash reward or promotion.