In a significant development, the Government Railway Police (GRP) has filed a charge sheet in the Borivali Metropolitan Magistrate Court, asserting that Railway Protection Force (RPF) constable Chetan Singh Chaudhary was sane and aware of his actions during the 2016 Mumbai train shooting incident.
The incident occurred on July 31, 2016, aboard the Jaipur-Mumbai Central Superfast Express when Chaudhary shot and killed four individuals, including a senior officer. According to witness testimonies, Chaudhary deliberately targeted passengers based on their Muslim identity before committing the shootings.
The charge sheet, consisting of 1203 pages, draws upon the accounts of 150 witnesses, including passengers on the train who witnessed the tragic event. It also includes statements from three witnesses recorded under section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code, which were presented in the Borivali metropolitan magistrate court.
Additionally, the investigators relied on CCTV camera footage within the train, which captured Chaudhary moving through various compartments as he sought potential victims. Passengers’ videos recorded during the incident serve as evidence of Chaudhary’s actions, showing him standing near one of the victims’ bodies while delivering an inflammatory speech justifying his violent acts against Muslim individuals.
The charge sheet strongly contends that Chaudhary displayed no signs of mental illness following the incident. His primary motive for the shootings was reportedly rooted in anger after his senior officer, ASI Tikaram Meena, refused to allow him to disembark at Valsad, a stop that the Jaipur-Mumbai Central Superfast Express did not make.
As the case progresses, Chaudhary is currently detained in a prison in Akola district. The next hearing is scheduled for November 2, 2023.
Chetan Singh Chaudhary faces multiple charges, including murder under Section 302, promoting enmity between different groups based on religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, and other relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code. Charges also include violations under the Railways Act and the Maharashtra Prevention of Defacement of Property Act.
This development is a significant step towards seeking justice for the victims and addressing hate crimes, highlighting the importance of thorough investigations and accountability in such cases.
