Chilli throwing at commuters: Grainy CCTV footage hits probe

On March 25,Holi eve,eight commuters had fallen off the train after chilli powder mixed with colour were thrown at them making them lose their balance. One commuter had died on the spot and two succumbed to injuries later.

The miscreants were travelling in another train moving in the opposite direction. Police scanned CCTV footage and zeroed in on two suspects carrying yellow colour but sources said investigators are unable to identify them as their faces are not clear.

CCTV footage obtained from Sion show two persons carrying a yellow coloured substance but sources said the investigators are helpless because the image of the suspects are blurred.

When contacted,Shivaji Dhumal,senior police inspector,Kurla GRP,said,“We have seen footage from Kalyan to Sion station. Two persons are seen carrying yellow coloured substance. Their faces cannot be seen clearly.” He added that investigation was still on and police are trying to track the two.

A source said not only is the footage grainy,the cameras do not cover enough of the station area for police to trace where the two suspects are heading.

Police,it is learnt,have scanned footage from over 100 cameras to track the miscreants.

According to a source,no commuter has come forward to give any information about the suspects,which has made police suspect that the incident could have been accidental.

About the CCTV not covering the whole expanse of the station,Mukesh Nigam,Divisional Railway Manager,Central Railway,said,“It is difficult to cover every corner as stations have a vast expanse.”

When asked about the quality of cameras,the officer said technology is rapidly progressing,but given the constraints,a government enterprise cannot constantly upgrade technology.

priyal.dave@expressindia.com