Lok Sabha Question No. 2919 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-15
Subject: Crime in Trains
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Keshari Devi Patel

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2919 TO BE ANSWERED ON 15.12.2021

## CRIME IN TRAINS

## †2919.  SHRIMATI KESHARI DEVI PATEL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether incidents of theft, dacoity, pickpocketing etc. and other criminal activities are increasing in Rajdhani and Superfast long distance trains;
- (b) if so, the details of the steps taken to check the said incidents;
- (c) whether crimes are committed in trains running between Delhi and Kolkata along with the number of such incidents registered during  the  last  three  years  including  the  steps  taken  by  the Government to solve of such problems;
- (d) whether the incidents of parcel theft has increased during the last five years;
- (e) if so, the steps taken to check it;
- (f) whether such crimes are committed allegedly with the collusion of railway employees;
- (g) if so, the steps taken by the Government in this regard; and
- (h) the  number  of  employees/officers  found  involved  in  the  said incidents  along  with  the  details  of  the  action  taken  against them?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a) to (h): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House. *****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a) TO (h) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2919 BY SHRIMATI KESHARI DEVI PATEL TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 15.12.2021 REGARDING CRIME IN TRAINS

(a) to (c):  'Police' and 'Public Order' are State subjects under the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution  of  India  and,  as  such,  State  Governments are  responsible  for  prevention,  detection,  registration  and  investigation of  crime  and  maintaining  law  and  order  etc.  on  Railways  through  their law enforcement agencies viz. Government Railway Police (GRP)/District Police. However, Railway Protection Force (RPF) supplements the efforts of  GRP/District  Police  to  provide  better  protection  and  security  of passenger area and passengers and for matters connected therewith.

Cases  of  crime  under  Indian  Penal  Code  (IPC)  are  registered  and investigated by the concerned Government Railway Police. Whenever any information  about  status  of  crime  on  Railways  is  sought,  State  GRP  is requested  to provide information. Based  on  the  data provided by Government Railway Police Stations, there is decrease in cases of theft of  passengers  belonging'  (TOPB),  Dacoity,  pickpocketing  and  other crimes  in  Rajdhani  and  other  Superfast  long  distance  trains  registered during the year 2021 as compared to the year 2019. Data of crime in year 2020 is not considered for comparison as the passenger train operation was severely curtailed due to the onset of Covid-19.

Further, a total of 226  cases of crimes in trains running between Delhi and Kolkata route, have been registered during the last three years i.e. 2018, 2019, 2020 and current year i.e. 2021 (upto November). Each and every case registered by the concerned GRP is investigated & action is taken as per extant legal provisions.

The following steps are also being taken by the Railways in coordination with GRP for safety and security of passengers in trains and at stations:-

1. On vulnerable and identified routes/sections, trains are escorted by Railway Protection Force in addition to trains escorted by Government Railway Police of different States daily.
2. Railway  Help  Line  number  139  is  operational  (24x7)  over  Indian Railways for security related assistance to passengers in distress.

3. Drives are conducted  from  time  to  time  against the entry of unauthorized persons in trains and railway premises.
4. Through  various  social  media  platforms  viz.  twitter,  facebook  etc., Railways are in regular touch with passengers to enhance security of passengers and to address their security concern.
5. Frequent announcements are made through Public Address System to educate passengers to take precautions against theft, snatching, drugging etc.
6. CCTV cameras have been provided in 4934 coaches and 838 Railway stations for enhancing security of passengers.
7. A Pan-India initiative 'Meri Saheli' was  launched by RPF on 17.10.2020  with  the  objective  to  provide  enhanced  safety  and security  to  lady  passengers  travelling  by  trains  for  their  entire journey i.e. from the originating station to destination station.  The focus is to provide the security to lady passengers especially those travelling alone and to instil a sense of security in them.  Teams of lady  officers  and  staff  have  been  formed  who  are  well  trained  and briefed about the objective.
8. Ladies Special trains running in Metropolitan cities are being escorted by lady RPF personnel. In other trains, where escorts are provided, the train escorting parties have been briefed to keep extra vigil on the lady passengers travelling alone, ladies coaches en-route and at halting stations.
9. Emergency Talk Back System and Closed Circuit Television Surveillance Cameras have been provided in ladies compartments/coaches of all newly manufactured Electrical Multiple Unit (EMU) and Air-conditioned rakes of Kolkata Metro. Flasher lights have  also  been  provided  in  ladies  coaches  in  EMU  rakes  in  some zonal railways.
10. State  Level  Security  Committee  of  Railways  (SLSCR)  have  been constituted for all State/Union Territories under the Chairmanship of respective  Director  General  of  Police/Commissioner of  States/Union Territories for regular monitoring and review of security arrangements of the Railways.

(d) to (h): No, Sir. During the last five years i.e. 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and current year i.e. 2021 (upto November), a total of 1106 cases of parcel  theft  have  been  registered  across  Indian  Railways  wherein  09 railway employees have been arrested during course of enquiry. Appropriate  legal  action  followed  by  stringent  disciplinary  action,  is taken against the Railway employee(s) found involved in cases of parcel theft.

Following  steps  are  being  taken  by  the  Railways  to  prevent  theft  of Railway Property/Goods transported through railways:-

1. All major railway stations, deports, yards and other vital installations are manned by Railway Protection Force round the clock.
2. Escorting of affected passengers & goods trains in identified vulnerable sections is being done.
3. Strengthening  of  basic  security  arrangements  at  Railway  yards, Goods Sheds and Parcel Sheds is being done.
4. Frequent drives are conducted against undesirable elements in trains and railway premises to prevent such thefts.
5. Surveillance is kept through Close Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras, provided at about 838 railway stations.
6. Adequate security measures are taken at identified black spots from time to time.
7. All  cases  of  theft  of  Railway  property/booked  consignment  are promptly registered, enquired and arrested criminals are prosecuted as per law.
8. Crime Intelligence Branch (CIB) and Special Intelligence Branch (SIB) of RPF keep regular watch and collect intelligence from time to time about  active  criminals  indulged  in  theft  of  Railway  Property/Goods transported through Railways.
9. Regular co-ordination meetings are conducted with GRP/Civil Police for collection and sharing of criminal intelligence.

*****