Southern Railway’s Chief Security Commissioner and Inspector General of Railway Protection Force (RPF) S.C.Parhi on Wednesday said his force is still investigating the robbery of ₹5.78 crore from an express train.
Last August, ₹5.78 crore was looted from a parcel van attached to the Salem-Chennai Express. Originally, the case was registered by the RPF and subsequently was handed over to the CB-CID.
Since it is a major crime, State police thought that it might have major ramifications and some big networks may be involved. Therefore, they decided that CB-CID was the right agency to investigate the case, he told reporters here.
“At same time, we have not closed our case and have taken a lot of efforts. Even our teams were sent to several States. We have worked on certain leads. We are still working on them,” he said, adding that the CB-CID was investigating in different angles.
The RPF and CB-CID officers frequently held review meetings and shared inputs in connection with the case, he noted.
Overall, the theft and robbery cases have decreased by 24 per cent compared to previous year. As many as 847 cases were reported in 2015 and such cases decreased to 644 in 2016.
In the entire zone, the RPF have booked over 1.10 lakh persons for various offences, including trespassing under various sections of Railways Act last year. The RPF has rescued 615 runaway children at different Railway stations and handed them over to their parents and Child Helpline for better care and protection.
Unveiling a plan of action for the year, Mr. Parhi said CCTVs would be installed in 27 vulnerable railway stations to enhance security.
K.K. Ashraf, senior divisional security commissioner, said the RPF has taken several measures for the security of women passengers and soon would come up with mobile application to alert the force in case of emergency.
Stating that Indian Railways (Penalties for activities affecting cleanliness at railway premises) Rules 2012 would be implemented in letter and spirit, he said the RPF officers would impose fines on those who violate rules.
