Madhya Pradesh minister, wife robbed on train

Madhya Pradesh Finance Minister Jayant Malaiya and his wife Sudha Malaiya were on Thursday robbed onboard the Jabalpur-Nizamuddin Express train near Mathura, following which the Railways has ordered an enquiry into the incident.

According to railway spokesperson Anil Saxena, three Railway Police Force personnel who were escorting the train have also been suspended in connection with the issue.

Gold chain, ring and some cash were looted from the couple at dagger point in the AC compartment of the running train. The couple had boarded the train at Damoh for Delhi.

Narrating her harrowing experience, Sudha Malaiya told PTI outside Parliament, "We were travelling by Jabalpur-Nizamuddin Express train to Delhi and we boarded the train at Damoh. There was a knock at the door of our coupe at about 4 am and when I opened the door a person carrying dagger entered forcefully followed by four others."

Sudha, who is also a Bharatiya Janata Party worker said, "Then they snatched my purse, chain and ring. They also took away money from my husband's purse. There was another ring on my left hand which was not coming out and they threatened to cut my finger. However, one of the robbers tried to pull that ring but could not succeed."

She said the accused also robbed passengers in the adjoining couple.

Asked about the response of the RPF, she said "Because of the RPF other passengers were saved. Train was stopped due to chain pulling and when the RPF men came, the robbers left."

She further said that they will meet Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu to inform about the incident and the issue was also raised in Parliament by BJP MP Prahalad Patel.

Image: Madhya Pradesh Finance Minister Jayant Malaiya