Week after train killings, RPF constable booked for promoting enmity

The Government Railway Police (GRP) in Borivali told a local court on Monday that it has invoked additional IPC Sections 153A (promoting enmity), 363 (kidnapping), 341 (wrongful restraint) and 342 (wrongful confinement).

Sources said Section 153A was added based on purported video clips of Singh, and accounts of some passengers who were in the train. In the purported video clips, Singh, seen standing next to a body, is heard saying: “…Pakistan se operate hue ye, aur media yehi coverage dikha rahi hai, unko sab pata chal raha hai ye kya kar rahe hain… Agar vote dena hai, agar Hindustan mein rehna hai to mai kehta hoon Modi aur Yogi, ye do hain.”

Singh’s lawyer Amit Mishra sought to argue that he had suffered from an anxiety attack and did it in a fit of rage. They said his mental condition was not stable for over a year now, and was undergoing treatment.

The counsel for the family of one of the victims advocate Vishnu Bhatt asked how the accused was on duty if his psychological condition was not stable.

Seeking extension of his custody, the prosecution said it was a heinous crime and the intention of the accused was still being ascertained.

The court later extended Singh’s police custody till August 11.