Chandigarh man alleges criminal negligence as several injured while boarding moving Shatabdi Express
Acting on the complaint, the Government Railway Police, Chandigarh, has registered an FIR while the Railways has ordered a departmental inquiry into the incident.
The complaint was filed by a Chandigarh resident, Surinder Singh Bhardwaj, who accused the loco pilot and on-duty railway operating staff of gross and criminal negligence.
A 59-year-old Chandigarh resident has described the frightening scenes at Chandigarh Railway Station as a “dance of death” after panic allegedly caused by the premature movement of the Kalka–New Delhi Shatabdi Express left several passengers injured on Saturday.
Acting on the complaint, the Government Railway Police, Chandigarh, has registered an FIR while the Railways has ordered a departmental inquiry into the incident.
The complaint was filed by a Chandigarh resident, Surinder Singh Bhardwaj, who accused the loco pilot and on-duty railway operating staff of gross and criminal negligence.
According to Bhardwaj, the Kalka–New Delhi Shatabdi Express (Train No. 12006) arrived at Platform No. 1 around 6:49 am and began moving again within seconds — before its scheduled departure time and without proper clearance or announcement — while passengers were still boarding.
He alleged that the sudden start triggered panic on the platform and that the train was abruptly halted again moments later, causing passengers to lose balance, fall, and suffer injuries.
“It was a dance of death. I cannot forget this ever,” Bhardwaj told The Indian Express, claiming that around 20 to 40 passengers, including elderly persons and women, were injured in the chaos.
Fell while boarding, luggage left behind
Bhardwaj said he was to travel with his wife and daughter in Coach C-6, which he claimed was 40–50 metres away from the marked stopping position of the train. “We had to run to reach our coach. Within no time — well before the scheduled halt of around eight minutes — the train started moving. I somehow pushed my wife and daughter into the coach, but when I tried to board, I fell on the platform,” he alleged.
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He claimed that several other passengers also fell while attempting to board the moving train and that his luggage was left behind on the platform. In his complaint, he urged the authorities to preserve CCTV footage of Platform No. 1 near Coach C-6 and take immediate action.
FIR registered, investigation underway
On the basis of the complaint and preliminary inquiry, the GRP has registered an FIR under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 154 of the Railways Act against the loco pilot of Train No. 12006 and other on-duty railway operating staff.
The FIR has been registered under Sections 109 (attempt to murder), 125 (endangering human life or personal safety through rash or negligent acts), 198 (public servant disobeying law, with intent to cause injury to any person), 199 (public servant disobeying direction under law), 281 (rash driving), 3(5) (criminal act is done by several persons in furtherance of the common intention) of BNS and Section 154 of the Railways Act.
Urmila, SHO, GRP Chandigarh, said an FIR has been registered under the applicable sections of the BNS. “The matter is under probe. After a detailed inquiry, further action will be taken,” she said.
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Railways constitutes 3-member committee
Senior Divisional Commercial Manager (DCM), Ambala Division, Naveen Jha, said that following the complaint, a departmental inquiry has been ordered. “A committee comprising officers from Mechanical, Operations and Railway Protection Force (RPF) has been constituted. The committee will submit its report within two days,” he said.
Meanwhile, a railway official maintained that the train pilot must have sounded the horn before departure and said claims that the train left unnoticed or before the scheduled halt time cannot be accepted outright.
“An inquiry is underway to establish the facts,” the official added.
Bhardwaj, however, has demanded strict action, including suspension and prosecution of the said train driver, medical assistance and compensation for all injured passengers, stating that such incidents endanger lives and undermine passenger safety.
Jagpreet Singh Sandhu is a Senior Correspondent at The Indian Express, based in Chandigarh. He is a veteran reporter with over a decade of experience, specializing in legal, crime, and environmental reporting across the tri-city area (Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula).
Professional Background
Core Beat: He primarily covers the Punjab and Haryana High Court, District Courts, CBI Courts, and Consumer Commissions. His legal reporting is known for breaking down complex judgments and tracking long-standing criminal cases.
Environmental Reporting: Jagpreet has become a key voice in reporting on the deteriorating air quality and weather patterns in the Punjab-Haryana region.
Crime & Technology: He frequently reports on cybercrime, digital arrest scams, and the intersection of technology and law enforcement, such as the development of citizen-centric policing apps.
Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025)
His late 2025 coverage has focused on significant judicial verdicts, major financial scams, and public health concerns:
1. Legal & CBI Court Verdicts
"12 years on, CBI court acquits Haryana judge, parents in wife’s death case" (Dec 17, 2025): Detailed coverage of the acquittal of a judicial officer in a high-profile dowry death case from 2013.
"‘Wicked & evil mind’: Court gives man 30-year term for kidnapping, sexually assaulting 8-year-old" (Dec 16, 2025): A report on a stern judgment from a Chandigarh district court in a POCSO case.
"Man acquitted in rape case after victim found ‘very happy’ in wedding reception" (Dec 9, 2025): Covering a unique legal observation regarding consensual relationships and age verification.
2. Investigative & Scams
"CBI registers FIR in Rs 1.14-cr Patient Welfare Grant scam at PGIMER" (Dec 19, 2025): An exposé on how funds meant for poor patients were siphoned off through forged documents and a photocopy shop inside the PGIMER campus.
"Month-long torture, Rs 85 lakh transfers: How ‘Innocence Certificate’ led to a ‘digital arrest’ of an elderly couple" (Dec 12, 2025): Detailing a sophisticated cyber fraud targeting senior citizens in Chandigarh.
3. Environment & Public Safety
"Panchkula air turns ‘very poor’, fourth worst in country" (Dec 22, 2025): Reporting on the sudden spike in pollution levels in Panchkula compared to neighbouring cities.
"Soon, you can snap that overspeeding car, and report to Chandigarh Police" (Dec 16, 2025): Breaking news on a new mobile application being developed to allow citizens to report traffic violations via geo-tagged photos.
4. Gangster Culture & Crime
"City Beautiful in the crosshairs of gangsters" (Dec 14, 2025): A feature analysis of how Chandigarh has increasingly become a staging ground for extortion and rivalries between gangster modules.
"Shooters wanted for Parry murder held by Delhi Police Special Cell" (Dec 18, 2025): Following the developments in a high-profile murder case in Chandigarh’s Sector 26.
Signature Style
Jagpreet is recognized for his tenacious follow-up on cold cases and his ability to report on courtroom drama with a focus on victim rights. His work often highlights administrative lapses, whether in the handling of patient welfare funds or the enforcement of environmental standards. ... Read More
