Patna: A man accused of stealing passengers’ belongings while posing as a ticket collector on a long-distance train has been arrested following a multi-day police operation across Bihar, railway officials said.
The suspect, identified as Ram Naresh Pandey from Dumraon in Buxar district, was detained in Kayamnagar after a joint effort by railway police units from Danapur and Ara. Officers said they recovered three touchscreen mobile phones and Rs 20,000 in cash believed to be linked to the theft.
The incident was reported by Sanjeev Kumar Gupta, a passenger travelling with his family from New Jalpaiguri to Anand Vihar on board train number 12505. Gupta told police that three mobile phones, Rs 10,000 in cash and several personal items were stolen from their compartment after the train reached Danapur on April 1.
Railway police said a special investigation team was formed within 36 hours of the complaint, following instructions from senior officials. The inquiry relied on CCTV footage, technical surveillance and coordinated searches across multiple railway stations.
Footage reviewed by investigators showed a man dressed as a ticket collector leaving the coach before crawling beneath a stationary train on an adjacent track. Police later tracked the same individual on another platform carrying a bag believed to contain stolen items.
According to officials, the suspect boarded another train towards Ara while wearing a cap and face covering. Alerts were issued to railway police and the Railway Protection Force, leading to further sightings at Ara station where he was identified.
After an overnight search operation, police traced the suspect to Karbigahiya station in Patna in the early hours of April 2, where they said he was preparing to commit another offence. He was subsequently arrested in Kayamnagar.
Police said Pandey has a history of criminal cases, including previous arrests linked to smuggling and other offences. His wife has also served time in jail, and the pair are locally known by the nickname “Bunty-Babli”.
The accused has been remanded to judicial custody as further investigations into his activities continue.
