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Journalism of Courage
A disturbing incident involving a travel vlogger on the Hemkunt Express has drawn widespread outrage after a video of his assault went viral. Vishal Sharma, a YouTuber known for documenting his journeys, was allegedly attacked inside the 3rd AC coach after he raised concerns about being overcharged for food and water onboard.
The altercation happened on May 6, during Sharma’s trip from Rishikesh to Sri Mata Vaishno Devi in Jammur and Kashmir’s Katra. In his video, Sharma is seen purchasing a bottle of water inside the coach. Instead of the mandated Rail Neer bottle priced at Rs 15, he was handed a Wonder Aqua bottle and asked to pay Rs 20. When he questioned the price difference, the vendor shrugged it off, saying, “Yahi mila hai, Sir.”
Sharma also documented being charged Rs 20 for a cup of coffee – double the approved Rs 10 rate – and Rs 50 for noodles, which should have cost him Rs 40. Fed up with the overpricing, he lodged a formal complaint through the RailMadad app, not expecting what would follow.
That night, while he was asleep on his upper berth, a group of men approached him aggressively. In the video he managed to record, the group is seen confronting him, demanding he comes down from the berth. One man in a green polo T-shirt was particularly aggressive, telling him, “Neeche aao. Neeche aao bula rahe hain” (Come down, I am asking you to). Sharma is seen questioning why he should, and that he had only filed a complaint and had done nothing wrong.
When he refused to get down, things escalated quickly. One of the men climbed up to his berth and began pulling at his leg, throwing punches at him as others looked on. The recording suddenly cuts off, capturing only Sharma’s distressed voice. He resumed filming later, showing torn clothes and an injury sustained during the assault.
Sharma shared the ordeal on YouTube and X, writing, “When I complained about overcharging in Train by Pantry, an attempt was made to kill me.”
The video prompted a swift response from railway authorities. The Railway Seva team replied, stating, “The case is being taken with utmost seriousness. A penalty of Rs 5 lakh has been imposed on the caterer. An FIR has been lodged by GRP, Kathua. The matter remains under strict watch. Stern action will follow based on the investigation outcome.”
IRCTC also responded, assuring that the matter has been escalated to the appropriate officials. A spokesperson confirmed to Hindustan Times that an investigation is currently underway.
In his 28-minute vlog, Sharma further details the aftermath. He got off the train at Kathua station around 4:40 AM and sought help from the local police. However, he claims they were unhelpful and did not register an FIR. He also expressed frustration with the railway helpline, saying he received no meaningful support.
A few months ago, Sharma was involved in another dispute on the Begampura Express while traveling from Varanasi to Jammu Tawi. After being charged Rs 20 for coffee without a bill, he began recording and questioned the staff. The pantry manager, irritated by the filming, offered the coffee for free, which Sharma refused. The argument escalated, and the manager allegedly slapped him during the confrontation.
