A Mumbai court on Wednesday charged dismissed Railway Protection Force constable Chetansinh Chaudhary with murder and promoting enmity between different groups based on religion.
The charges are related to an incident last year in which Chaudhary allegedly shot and killed four people on a moving train near Palghar.
Chaudhary, who is currently imprisoned in Akola, approximately 550 kilometers from Mumbai, appeared in court where the charges were formally framed, setting the stage for the trial. The incident occurred on July 31 when Chaudhary opened fire on the Jaipur-Mumbai Central Express, killing Railway Protection Force Assistant Sub-Inspector Tika Ram Meena and three passengers. He was apprehended with his weapon after the train was stopped at Mira Road station following a passenger alert.
Chaudhary faces charges under Indian Penal Code sections 302 (murder) and 153-A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion), along with relevant provisions of the Railways Act and the Maharashtra Prevention of Defacement of Property Act.
During the proceedings, Additional Sessions Judge NL More asked Chaudhary about the charges, to which Chaudhary initially pleaded guilty. However, after consulting with his lawyers, he retracted his confession, pleading “not guilty.”
The prosecution detailed the crime and Chaudhary’s alleged involvement, while the defense argued that Chaudhary was unwell and that his health issues contributed to the incident. They also contended that the charge under IPC 153A was unwarranted, as only one witness, a woman, claimed to have heard communal statements.
The court has scheduled the next hearing for August 20. Meanwhile, Chaudhary’s wife, who was allowed to meet him at the court, claimed that he had a brain clot and was not fully aware of the incident.
