Shooting Case Brings Burqa-Clad Passenger into Focus
In the ongoing trial for the Jaipur-Mumbai Express shootout, a key witness has testified that the accused, dismissed Railway Protection Force (RPF) constable Chetan Singh Chaudhary, pointed his rifle at a woman wearing a burqa while firing on board the Jaipur-Mumbai Superfast Express. The gunfire, which claimed four lives including his senior officer, took place on July 31, 2023.
The witness, a Muslim businessman, told the Dindoshi sessions court he saw the incident from his berth near the door of coach S5. He also recounted pulling the emergency chain after the confrontation, which led to the train being halted.
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Background: What Happened on the Train
On July 31, 2023, Chaudhary allegedly opened fire inside the moving train near Palghar, Maharashtra. He is accused of first shooting his senior ASI Tikaram Meena, then three Muslim passengers: Abdul Kadar Mohamed Hussain Bhanpurawala, Syed Saifuddin, and Asgar Abbas Sheikh.
After the shootings, reports say Chaudhary threatened a burqa-clad woman passenger, forcing her at gunpoint to say “Jai Mata Di.” This incident forms part of the prosecution’s claims of a hate crime.
Chaudhary was subsequently dismissed from the RPF. He has been under observation for mental health issues — the Thane Regional Mental Hospital has reported suspected psychosis.
Testimony & Legal Details
In court, the witness described seeing Chaudhary enter his coach, approach his wife who was wearing a burqa, and point a rifle at her. The witness shouted, other passengers joined in, and eventually Chaudhary backed off. When the chain was pulled, the train stopped.
Legal proceedings have included the defence arguing that the witness’s identification may have been influenced by media coverage. The witness disputed these claims, affirming that he identified Chaudhary in person that night.
Chaudhary’s mental health state has been a factor. In March 2025, the court ordered further psychiatric evaluation, and Chaudhary has been kept under observation at Thane. However, earlier medical reports and the charge sheet assert that he was sane and fully aware of his actions during the incident.
What This Means: Communal Tensions, Railway Safety & Legal Precedent
The Jaipur-Mumbai Express shootout has reignited debates about communal bias, safety of passengers, and armed guards on trains. Muslim community groups have emphasized how passengers from religious minorities feel threatened in such incidents. The incident also raises concerns about how law enforcement personnel with potential psychological issues are deployed.
For the legal system, this case may set precedent: whether identity-based threats and forced declarations (like compelling a passenger to say “Jai Mata Di”) at gunpoint count as part of hate-crime prosecution. It also puts focus on cross-examination standards of witnesses and how courtroom identification evidence is treated.
Impact & What to Watch
For passengers, the case underscores increasing anxiety over safety aboard long-distance trains, especially for vulnerable groups. Railway authorities may face pressure to review how staff are vetted, trained, and monitored for stress, mental health issues, and potential extremism. Legal outcomes may influence policy on FIRs, hate continuation, and how religious expression is handled during criminal investigations.
Observers will watch how the court eventually rules on:
- Whether Chaudhary’s mental health evaluation will significantly alter sentencing.
- If forced declarations or identity-based targeting (burqa, etc.) will feature in the verdict and possibly in future law enforcement training.
- What changes, if any, the railways will make to safety protocols, security on board, and response to emergencies.
FAQs
It refers to the shooting carried out by RPF constable Chetan Singh Chaudhary aboard the Jaipur-Mumbai Superfast Express on July 31, 2023, in which he allegedly killed his senior officer and three Muslim passengers.
Witnesses say Chaudhary forced a passenger wearing a burqa to say “Jai Mata Di” at gunpoint, and also pointed his rifle at her, which has been used by the prosecution to highlight alleged communal targeting.
The accused is under observation at the Thane Regional Mental Hospital for suspected psychosis. Despite this, the charge sheet maintains he was of sound mind at the time of the shootings. The court continues to deliberate on the medical reports.
Sources: Times of India
