9 hrs ago
Passengers Allegedly Searched Without CCTV Despite Railway Police Guidelines
A report says some railway police searches of passengers in Mumbai may be happening in places without working cameras.
The police rules say searches should be recorded and done under CCTV, with a senior officer present.
One passenger said he was checked in camera-free places at two stations.
An activist also pointed to rooms and other areas where cameras were missing or not working.
The report says several railway police officers have been suspended in recent cases involving alleged wrongdoing.
The police commissioner said officers had already received guidelines and instructions.
Passenger representatives want the rules displayed clearly and followed.
One representative also suggested that officers use cameras they wear on their bodies.
An FPJ visit to Borivli, Mumbai Central and Bandra found passengers being taken to areas reportedly lacking CCTV coverage.
Mumbai Railway Police guidelines require searches to be recorded, conducted under CCTV and carried out in the presence of a senior officer.
Passenger Kamalkumar Soni said he was searched without CCTV or recording at Borivli and Bandra after an earlier alleged extortion incident at Mumbai Central.
Passenger activist Samir Zaveri identified several railway police areas where cameras were absent or reportedly not working.
Mumbai Railway Police Commissioner Rakesh Kalasagar said guidelines and a standard operating procedure had been issued; passenger representatives called for stronger compliance and body-worn cameras.
- Who
- Government Railway Police personnel, passengers, passenger activists and Mumbai Railway Police Commissioner Rakesh Kalasagar.
- What
- Passengers were allegedly searched in areas without CCTV, contrary to railway police guidelines.
- Where
- Borivli, Mumbai Central and Bandra railway stations in Mumbai; other camera gaps were also cited at CSMT.
- When
- The report describes recent observations and incidents, including an alleged extortion incident in 2025 and suspensions reported in September 2026.
- Why
- The report raises concerns that searches may not be following guidelines requiring CCTV, recording and senior-officer presence.
Concerns and calls for stronger compliance
Police response
Whether search rules are being followed
Concerns and calls for stronger compliance
Passenger accounts and FPJ's observations describe searches in locations without CCTV or recording, despite guidelines requiring surveillance and senior-officer presence.
Police response
Commissioner Rakesh Kalasagar said clear guidelines and a standard operating procedure had been issued and reiterated.
How to improve oversight
Concerns and calls for stronger compliance
Samir Zaveri called for prominent display of the guidelines and compliance; Siddhesh Desai proposed body-worn cameras.
Police response
The article reports the commissioner's statement about existing instructions but does not report a response to these specific proposals.
Key facts
- Stations visited by FPJ
- Borivli, Mumbai Central and Bandra
- Search guidelines
- Require searches to be recorded, conducted under CCTV and carried out in the presence of a senior officer.
- Passenger account
- Kamalkumar Soni said he was searched without CCTV or recording at Borivli and Bandra.
- Earlier alleged extortion
- Soni said GRP personnel extorted Rs 30,000 from him at Mumbai Central in 2025.
- Suspensions in 2025
- The report says 13 GRP personnel, including a senior inspector, were suspended within five months over passenger extortion.
- Commissioner's response
- Rakesh Kalasagar said guidelines and a standard operating procedure had been issued and reiterated at a crime review meeting.
- Passenger representative suggestion
- Siddhesh Desai suggested body-worn cameras.
Quotes
Rakesh Kalasagar
Commissioner of Mumbai Railway Police.
“On two occasions, police checked my bag without CCTV or recording the check. Once, at Borivali, they took me under a staircase near the foot overbridge. Other passengers were also taken there.”
freepressjournal.in
“We have already issued clear guidelines and an SOP in this regard. I reiterated the same during the last crime review meeting.”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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