Bengal: RPF cracks train theft case, recovers jewellery and cash worth Rs 16.41 lakh

Kolkata: The Railway Protection Force (RPF) of Eastern Railway (ER), in coordination with the local police, has cracked a high-value theft case from a reserved coach of the New Alipurduar–Sealdah Padatik Express. Police have apprehended both the prime accused and the receiver of the stolen property, and recovered a substantial portion of the stolen valuables, including gold ornaments, silver coins, and cash.

The incident came to light after a passenger complaint lodged through the Rail Madad portal about the theft and snatching of valuable belongings from the S-1 coach of 12378 Dn Padatik Express while the train was at Kotalpukur station on September 15, 2026. The stolen articles included gold ornaments, raw gold, silver coins and a mobile phone, with the total estimated value of approximately Rs 16.41 lakh.

The team took prompt action on the complaint and constituted a specialised joint team comprising personnel from RPF Post Pakur, RPF Post Barharwa, and CIB Burdwan to work in coordination with the local police. The team undertook a detailed examination of CCTV footage from Kotalpukur station, which revealed a suspicious person boarding the S-1 coach from the off-side. By combining CCTV evidence with ground-level intelligence, the team successfully identified the suspect.

“Acting on specific intelligence and with the assistance of the Rajmahal Police Station, the joint team conducted a targeted raid at the residence of the suspect’s father-in-law at Nageshwar Bag Village in Rajmahal. The team apprehended the prime accused there. Police recovered a major portion of the stolen property from a pink jewellery bag in his possession. The recovered items included broken gold bracelets, gold bangles, a necklace, a ring, a chain with a pendant, a child’s armlet, a deity’s crown, raw gold, silver coins and Rs 1,41,000 in cash,” a senior official said.

During interrogation, the accused disclosed that he had sold two gold chains and two pairs of gold earrings to a local jeweller for Rs 1,41,500. Acting on this information, the joint team raided a jewellery shop at Lalu Market, Rajmahal, resulting in the apprehension of the receiver and recovery of the remaining stolen gold articles.

Government Railway Police Station Barharwa registered a formal case on September 20, 2026, under Sections 305(C), 317(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

“The successful detection of the case reflects the effectiveness of prompt passenger reporting through Rail Madad, supported by CCTV surveillance, intelligence-based investigation and close coordination between RPF and local police authorities. ER remains committed to strengthening passenger safety and security through technology-enabled surveillance, prompt response mechanisms and coordinated enforcement efforts,” the official added.

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