Attacked on train, Frenchman dies in Chandigarh

Beaten up, robbed and thrown out of a train - allegedly by the train's ticket examiner (TTE) - French national Franck Wilfred, 33, died in a Chandigarh hospital on Thursday. HT reports. Rail nightmare

Beaten up, robbed and thrown out of a train - allegedly by the train's ticket examiner (TTE) - French national Franck Wilfred, 33, died in a Chandigarh hospital on Thursday.

HT Image

Doctors at the Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) said he died of his injuries.

Wilfred, a frequent visitor to India, was to leave on April 18. However, when he lost his passport he had to extend his stay.On the afternoon of April 29, Wilfred, severely injured and unconscious, was found lying on the platform of Haryana's Karnal railway station, as the Amritsar-bound Sachkhand Express pulled out.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/Images/Popup/2012/5/04_05_12-metro10c.jpg

Investigations revealed he had boarded the train from New Delhi earlier that day and was traveling in a second class sleeper coach.

Inspector general of police (railways and commando) V Kamaraja said Kumar has admitted to beating up Wilfred. Kumar has denied his involvement in the crime.

"The foreigner had a spat with his co-passengers," he told a television channel on Wednesday.

"Nothing happened in my presence."

Asked how the Frenchman's belongings were recovered from his possession, Kumar said: "The passengers handed over the papers to me."

The police are yet to establish a motive for the crime. Officers say it is likely that Wilfred had a fracas with a group of pilgrims, who beat him up.

"A possibility is smoking cigarettes in or around the compartment," an officer said.

Search is on for Wilfred's co-passengers, who might have witnessed the incident.

"We are also questioning the railway staff and the railway protection force team," the IG said.