Patna: A 29-year-old government land surveyor was allegedly murdered during a robbery while travelling on the Danapur–Tilaiya Intercity Express, with his body later found on railway tracks in what his family claims was an attempt to disguise the crime as a train accident.
The victim, Shekhar Suman, had been serving as an Amin in Bidupur, Vaishali district, for the past three years. A murder case has been registered at the Rajendra Nagar Terminal Government Railway Police (GRP) station following a complaint filed by his father, Sanjeev Kumar.
Police Probe Underway
Railway Deputy Superintendent of Police (Headquarters) Bhaskar Ranjan confirmed that the incident is under investigation.
He said investigators are examining all possible angles and that the findings of the post-mortem examination would help establish the sequence of events.
Family Alleges Robbery And Murder
According to the family, Shekhar had boarded the Danapur–Tilaiya Intercity Express from Tilaiya after a short period of leave and was travelling back to his place of posting in Vaishali via Patna.
His relatives allege that he was targeted by robbers on the train and was attacked after resisting an attempted theft.
They claim the assailants stabbed him before pushing him from the moving train and throwing his body onto the tracks in an attempt to destroy evidence.
The family said Shekhar’s wallet, ATM card and cash were missing when his belongings were returned, while only his mobile phone and clothes were handed over by the GRP.
Questions Raised Over Initial Findings
Shekhar’s uncle, Ujir Panchal, who serves in the Indian Army and is currently posted in Jammu, questioned the railway police’s initial suggestion that the death may have been the result of a train accident.
He alleged that deep wounds on the victim’s head appeared to have been inflicted with a sharp-edged weapon and argued that the injuries were inconsistent with a fall from a moving train.
The family said they were first informed of the incident through a telephone call from the GRP, which stated that Shekhar had met with an accident.
Demand For CBI Inquiry
The victim’s relatives have also expressed dissatisfaction with the handling of the case by the railway police, alleging that they were initially encouraged to treat the death as an accidental fall from the train.
Seeking an impartial investigation, the family has demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the case. They have also called for the identification and arrest of those responsible, alleging that organised criminal groups operate on the Danapur–Tilaiya Intercity route.
Police said the investigation remains ongoing, and the exact circumstances surrounding Shekhar Suman’s death will be determined based on forensic evidence, witness statements and the post-mortem report.
