BELAGAVI
Eight passengers on a Delhi-bound Vasco-Hazrat Nizamuddin Goa Express were found lying unconscious in Londa after they were reportedly given eatables laced with a sedative on Monday evening. Mobile phones were stolen from the eight passengers.
All eight passengers who are working in Goa were heading to Khandwa in Madhya Pradesh.
According to sources, these passengers boarded the train at Vasco and were later found lying unconscious by co-passengers at the Londa station, who informed the railway staff.
Confirming the incident, South Western Railway (SWR) authorities said the train escorting staff of Train No. 12779 Goa Express heading to Delhi were informed about some passengers in the real general coach and not responding to the staff.
After the train reached the Belagavi railway station on Monday evening, all eight were deboarded.
The Railway Police Force team from Belagavi RPF Post along with the Railway Doctor checked on them.
One of the passengers revealed that three persons aged about 25-30 years spoke in a friendly way and offered them chocolate and kurkure at the Sanvordem railway station.
The mobile phones of the eight passengers were stolen. It is suspected that the food might have been laced with sedatives. The eight passengers were later admitted to the District Hospital at Belagavi. The RPF is investigating the matter.
Meanwhile, SWR authorities have expressed anguish over the incident.
“Despite issuing repeated warnings in writing to avoid anything offered by strangers, passengers still do not follow the guidelines. We appeal to passengers to remain alert to avoid any untoward incident,” a senior official said.
