RPF cop who opened fire on board Jaipur-Mumbai train faced indiscipline complaints earlier

Hailing from Meetai village in Hathras of Uttar Pradesh, Singh rejoined duty after a 12-day leave on July 18. His wife Renu Singh, a homemaker, eight-year-old son and six-year-old daughter live in Mathura, while his mother is in an old-age home.

Some railway officials said that he was short-tempered and Singh’s colleagues had lodged official complaints against him. As per Western Railway RPF records, Singh had complaints of “insubordination” while he was posted in Ujjain over five years ago, said a senior RPF official. His colleagues had complained of misbehaviour and indiscipline about Singh, he added.

The official, however, said that recently there have been no complaints against him and no inquiry was pending against him.

Prior to his Mumbai posting in March 2023, Singh was posted in Bhavnagar where he got transferred from Ujjain railway station under Ratlam division. From Bhavnagar, he sought transfer with two options — Ahmedabad and Mumbai, following which he was transferred to Mumbai at Lower Parel workshop.

Railway officials said that just an hour before the incident, Singh had complained of restlessness following which ASI Meena had called the control room. His replacement was to come in Vapi but minutes later, Singh told Meena that he was feeling better and can continue.

However, after the Jaipur-Mumbai Superfast Express train crossed Vapi on Monday morning, Singh fired 12 rounds from his ARM rifle, which was loaded with 20 bullets, killing four, including Meena and three civilians.

Lokesh Kumar, younger brother of Singh, said, “On March 23, 2007, our father died of heart attack while on duty in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh. My brother got job on compassionate grounds in 2009. We moved to Mathura in 2011… I have a house and Chetan’s family is living on rent.”

Kumar said that he had no idea if his brother was suffering from depression. “I only know that he was taking some medicines for a year. He was on leave and recently went back. His family was staying with him for long — initially Ujjain, then in Bhavnagar, Gujarat. He shifted his family to Mathura around a year ago after he was transferred to Maharashtra,” said Kumar, who is a truck driver. His mother is living in an old age home in the city.

Chetan’s uncle Mukesh Kumar said that his brother Bachchu Singh left the village around 30 years ago. “Chetan was born in Ratlam where my brother was posted. They come to the village occasionally, especially during marriages. We were six brothers, of which five were in government service,” said Mukesh, who retired from the army last year.

“He (Chetan Singh) was very good in football and other physical activities, which helped him get the job after his Class 12. Even if it was on the compassionate ground, you should have some skills… He even participated in the Republic Day parade in 2013.Once he told my elder brother that he was facing some problems with his seniors, related to his transfer,” said Mukesh who is living in Meetai village.