9 held for rooftop travel, stunts

MUMBAI: Nine people were arrested in the first half of this year by the Railway Protection Force (RPF) for travelling on the rooftop and performing stunts in local

MUMBAI: Nine people were arrested in the first half of this year by the Railway Protection Force (RPF) for travelling on the rooftop and performing stunts in local trains on the central line.

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The crackdown recorded a fourfold rise, with 1,023 people caught — more than 80% were travelling on the Harbour line.

When these figures are compared with the January-June period in 2015, none of the 281 people arrested for similar offences were jailed. In 2016, the RPF collected a fine of Rs3.49 lakh from 1,023 people as against Rs70,300 from the 281 accused in 2015.

“We decided to collate and put up the crime history of the habitual offenders before the magistrate for them to take a stricter view in their cases. This was needed because almost all the offenders are habitual, leading to nine being put behind bars,” said Sachin Bhalode, senior divisional security commissioner, RPF (CR).

A rise in the arrests also increased the case pressure on the two railway courts, at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) and Kalyan, as the two courtrooms cannot handle more than 100 people a day, sources said.

The stretch between Govandi and CST stations on the Harbour line is prone to youngsters performing stunts and also travelling on the rooftop of local trains. Two people were arrested for performing stunts in the first half of 2015 as against the 368 arrested in the same period this year.

“We carried out a dedicated drive for a fortnight. Our personnel are keeping a watch on the Harbour line especially, citing several complaints and past complaints,” added Bhalode.

There is no provision in the law for enhanced punishment for habitual offenders, officials said, adding that would act as a deterrent.