Railways withdraw press statement regarding accused cop's mental health

After obtaining the latest periodic medical examination of the RPF constable accused in the Jaipur-Mumbai train shooting incident, the Railways released a statement that no mental ailment was detected and withdrew their press statement given earlier. 

Railway Protection Force (RPF) Constable Chetan Singh (33) is in police custody for opening fire on his senior colleague Tikaram Meena and three passengers aboard the moving express train near Palghar railway station on the outskirts of Mumbai on 31st July early morning with his automatic weapon. He was apprehended later.

After various media reports being circulated that the constable was suffering from ‘abnormal hallucinations’ and was diagnosed with serious anxiety disorder, the Ministry of Railways in a statement. The matter is being investigated by the Government Railway Police (GRP), Borivali.

A Railway spokesperson said. “the press release has been withdrawn,” without giving much information. In this regard, it is stated that there is a system of Periodical Medical Examination (PME) of Railway Protection Force constables, and in the last PME, no such medical ailment/ condition was detected, was released in a statement.

On duty, RPF train escort staff Constable Chetan Singh shot his in-charge ASI Meena on July 31, around 5:23 am, using his service ARM rifle (AK-47). Both were on duty in the B-5 coach of the Jaipur-Mumbai Express at Vaitarna railway station. After shooting his in-charge ASI, the constable went ahead in another compartment and shot dead three passengers.

Singh tried to flee but was apprehended by officers and staff of RPF Post, Bhayandar, and handed over to the local police in Borivali for further legal action. A high-level committee headed by an ADG of the RPF has been constituted to conduct a comprehensive inquiry into the incident.