The Government Railway Police (GRP) has strongly opposed the bail plea of dismissed Railway Protection Force (RPF) constable Chetansinh Chaudhary, who stands accused of committing a hate crime by killing four individuals, three of whom were Muslims. The incident occurred on July 31 aboard the Jaipur-Mumbai Central Superfast Express when Chaudhary allegedly shot his superior, assistant sub-inspector Tika Ram Meena, and three passengers—Abdul Kaderbhai Bhanpurwala, Abdul Kaderbhai Bhanpurwala, and Asgar Abbas Shaikh, as reported by Hindustan Times.
In a comprehensive 1203-page charge sheet, the GRP presented the testimonies of 150 witnesses, including passengers who witnessed Chaudhary selectively targeting victims based on their Muslim identity. Chaudhary's bail plea, filed last month, cited his purported struggles with "haunted illusions of the ghostly world" and engaging in "weird acts." However, the police vehemently opposed the plea, asserting that the crime was committed with deliberate intent and premeditation.
The GRP contended that Chaudhary harbored a significant grudge against a particular religious community and raised concerns about the potential for communal disharmony if he were released. They argued that his familiarity with handling and using weapons could pose a threat to passengers who were present on the train during the incident. Furthermore, the police warned that granting bail to Chaudhary might erode faith in the judicial system for both the victims' families and society at large, as it could signal a lack of consequences for criminals.
The GRP's stance underscores the gravity of the alleged hate crime and emphasizes the potential risks associated with releasing the accused, painting a picture of a situation where the accused's release could compromise public safety and faith in the legal system.
