Archive · 24 Aug 2026
Rat Allegedly Bites Retired Officer on Una-Indore Express
A 78-year-old passenger named HP Karan was travelling by train with his family.
He was sleeping in a First AC coach when a rat allegedly bit his nose.
His family said they had seen the rat earlier and told railway staff.
They also complained that the coach was not clean.
After the train reached Indore, Karan received first aid and an anti-rabies injection.
Railway officials said the train had received its planned anti-rodent treatment.
They suggested the rat may have entered through a door left open during the journey.
Reports differ on the exact date and some details of the train’s direction.
A 78-year-old retired Class-I officer, identified as HP Karan, was allegedly bitten on the nose by a rat in a First AC coach.
Karan was travelling with his family from Chandigarh to Indore and was asleep when the incident occurred, according to his family.
The family said they spotted a rat and complained about poor cleanliness before the reported bite; railway staff later cleaned the coach.
Karan received first aid and medical treatment, including an initial anti-rabies injection, after reaching Indore.
Western Railway said scheduled anti-rodent treatment had been completed before departure and suggested the rat may have entered through an open coach door.
- Who
- HP Karan, a 78-year-old retired Class-I officer, was allegedly bitten while travelling with his family.
- What
- A rat allegedly bit Karan’s nose while he was asleep in a First AC coach.
- When
- One report says Sunday night after he boarded on Saturday; another places the incident on August 22. The year is not specified.
- Where
- The incident occurred while the train was passing through an area under the Agra railway division; Karan received treatment after reaching Indore.
- Why
- Karan’s family alleged poor cleanliness and a lack of pest-control action, while Western Railway said the rat may have entered through an open coach door.
Passenger family’s account
Railway’s account
Condition of the coach
Passenger family’s account
Karan’s family said they saw a rat shortly after boarding, complained about poor cleanliness and alleged that railway staff cleaned the coach without carrying out pest-control measures.
Railway’s account
Western Railway said the train had undergone its prescribed anti-rodent treatment before departing from Indore.
How the rat entered
Passenger family’s account
The family’s account established that a rat was seen inside the coach but did not explain how it got there.
Railway’s account
Railway official Mukesh Kumar said the rat may have entered when a coach door was left open somewhere along the route.
Reported response
Passenger family’s account
The family immediately alerted railway staff after the bite and later took Karan directly to Kokilaben Hospital for treatment.
Railway’s account
Western Railway said the passenger was provided first aid after the incident.
- Passenger
- HP Karan, 78, a retired Class-I officer
- Train
- Una Himachal-Indore Express, also referred to as the Una-Indore Express
- Coach
- First AC coach
- Reported injury
- An alleged rat bite to Karan’s nose
- Medical care
- First aid and an initial anti-rabies injection were provided after the train reached Indore
- Family’s allegation
- The family said they reported a rat and poor cleanliness, but no pest-control measures were carried out
- Railway’s response
- Western Railway said scheduled anti-rodent treatment had been completed before departure from Indore and suggested the rat entered through an open door
