Surat : Passengers Catch Liquor Smugglers on Bandra-Bhuj Train, Raise Railway Security Questions

SURAT: In a startling security lapse on a Bandra-Bhuj train, passengers themselves uncovered a large liquor consignment hidden inside an AC coach and helped catch three suspected bootleggers, raising questions over how the illegal stock entered the railway system undetected.

The incident occurred on Thursday, August 27, aboard train number 09037 Superfast Special, shortly after it left Vapi. Passengers travelling in the third AC coach noticed several unclaimed bags tucked under seats and in corners. Suspicion grew when nobody came forward to claim them.

On checking the bags, passengers allegedly found foreign liquor bottles, beer cans and other liquor containers. More than 10 boxes, bags and plastic parcels were subsequently pulled out and gathered near the coach toilet and vestibule.

As word spread through the coach, passengers began checking other areas and informed the TTE. Three suspected bootleggers allegedly attempted to flee amid the commotion but were surrounded and detained by the passengers.

The suspects were subsequently handed over to the RPF and Government Railway Police (GRP) when the train reached Surat. Police seized three large travel bags and six plastic parcels containing the suspected liquor.

According to preliminary information, five persons were allegedly involved in transporting the consignment. While three were caught, two others reportedly escaped by taking advantage of the crowd and confusion.

Police have registered five separate FIRs under the Gujarat Prohibition Act and launched an investigation into the alleged smuggling operation.

The episode has also triggered questions about railway security, particularly how such a large quantity of liquor could allegedly be loaded onto a train at or around Vapi without being detected.

The incident comes amid heightened concern over illicit liquor following the recent Bhavnagar spurious liquor tragedy. The vigilance shown by passengers in this case prevented the alleged consignment from reaching its intended destination and exposed a potential gap in railway security.

Investigators are now examining CCTV footage, passenger movements and the manner in which the liquor was brought into the train. Police are also searching for the two absconding suspects and trying to establish whether the accused were part of a larger interstate smuggling network.