Khandwa railway court has passed a crucial order in a sensational case of the derailment of a special military train using detonators. The railway trackman, named Sabir or Shabbir, was found guilty and imprisoned for six years with a fine of ₹5,000.
Railway police have stated that the train, which was moving from Jammu & Kashmir to Karnataka, was stopped between Dongargaon and Sagphata stations on September 18, 2024. The train had to halt due to the explosion of detonators laid on the track, causing a high security threat.
After the accident, a case was registered against unidentified persons and a thorough investigation was initiated. Police, railway officials and security personnel gathered vital clues from the scene, including the pieces of the detonators. The police conducted a nearly 8km search with the assistance of a dog squad to locate them.
When questioned, Sabir allegedly admitted his role in the attack. Given the gravity of the offence, central agencies, including the Intelligence Bureau (IB), National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) were also involved in the case.
Following this, the case was brought in the railway court, which, after proper trial, found the accused guilty. The case highlights the seriousness of the crime of “tinkering with the railway”, particularly when it comes to defence-related goods, and the importance of tight security.