Police deny communal angle in RPF constable shooting incident

Chetan Bachu Singh, the 33-year-old RPF (Railway Protection Force) constable who had shot down his senior Tikaram Meena and 3 Muslim passengers was produced before a magistrate court in Borivali, Mumbai. He has been charged under section 302 of the IPC (Indian Penal Code) , under the sections of the Arms Act and the Indian Railways Act.

A 14-day custody of Chetan Bachu Singh was sought. Heavy security was ensured in and around the court to ensure that any untoward incident does not hamper the judicial process. The focus of the characterization of the crime was primarily restricted to that of his mental illness.

Chetan Singh has had complaints on the grounds of insubordination and indiscipline in the past as well. He was transferred to Mumbai in March 2023. His colleagues had noted that he has issues with regard to temperament. He had obtained the job on compassionate grounds after his father, Bachu Singh who was posted as an assistant sub-inspector with the RPF in Madhya Pradesh died on duty. 

However Railway Minister sources have denied a communal angle saying that a Hindu was shot as well. Chetan Bachu Singh had crossed different boogies in search of bearded men to shoot and had even said they had crossed here from Pakistan in a video that had gone viral before being struck down by the Indian government.