Days after photos and video of a horse travelling in a crowded local train went viral, its owner was arrested by the Railway Police on Friday.
Gafur Ali Mollah was returning home after a horse race on Wednesday night when he decided take the animal in a crowded Diamond Harbour Local in the Sealdah Division of Eastern Railway.
Mr. Mollah boarded the local train at the Dakshin Durgapur station of Sealdah South branch. After eight stations, he got off at Netray station, at the end of a 23 km journey in the State’s South 24 Parganas. The Eastern Railways ordered a probe after videos and photos of the incident went viral.
“A case has been registered under sections 145, 146 and 151 of The Railway Act,” said Eklavya Chakraborty, chief public relations officer of Eastern Railway. “No animal can be carried in this way in a passenger train. Animals can be moved from one place to another in a wagon, in compliance of certain rules. Cats and dogs can be taken on a passenger train, but only in AC first class.”
Many passengers objected, but the horse-owner did not listen to them, it is said.
