5,414 Fined For Entering Divyangjan Coaches On Western Railway As Activists Demand Stricter Checks

Mumbai: As many as 5,414 passengers have been penalised for illegally entering coaches reserved for persons with disabilities on Western Railway’s suburban trains between January 1 and August 20, with the railway collecting ₹20.68 lakh in fines. The figures come amid concerns from disability-rights activists that regular checks and stricter enforcement are needed to keep these coaches accessible and safe for their intended passengers.

Disabled Passenger Dies After Dispute Over Seating In Reserved Coach

A 62 year old disabled passenger, Cajetan Denis Peris, was allegedly pushed from a moving Churchgate-Borivali slow local by 48 year old Amajad Safriddin Shaikh following an argument over seating in the Divyanjan coach on August 20. Shaikh boarded at Lower Parel at 1:09 pm, while Peris boarded at Mahim at 1:19 pm. Peris was pushed near Bandra Creek at 1:22 pm. RPF staff attended at 1:24 pm and handed Shaikh to GRP at 1:26 pm. Peris was taken to Bhabha Hospital, where doctors declared him dead at 3:05 pm. Both reportedly travelled without valid tickets/passes.

Accused Passenger Was Not Eligible To Travel In Divyangjan Coach

According to Western Railway, Shaikh, who was travelling in the Divyangjan compartment despite not being a person with a disability, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) conducts regular checks and special drives to prevent unauthorised passengers from occupying the reserved coaches. Of the total cases, 4,890 passengers were prosecuted under Section 155(1)(a) of the Railways Act, with courts imposing fines totalling ₹10.20 lakh. Another 524 passengers were proceeded against under Section 155(1) under the Jan Vishwas Act, resulting in a further ₹10.48 lakh in fines. The combined action accounted for all 5,414 cases and the ₹20.68 lakh recovery.

However, disability-rights activists say the scale of the problem shows that enforcement needs to be strengthened. Nitin Gaikwad, president of Nirdhar Viklang Vikas Samajik Sangh, said unauthorised entry by general passengers remains a concern and alleged that the action taken by the railway is not sufficient. “Regular checks in the reserved coaches should be increased and stricter action should be taken against those violating the rules,” he said.

The reserved coaches are meant to ensure that passengers with disabilities can travel with greater safety and dignity. Western Railway's continuing drives indicate an effort to curb misuse, but the number of cases recorded in just eight months has renewed questions over whether checks at stations and inside trains are frequent enough. For passengers dependent on these reserved spaces, consistent enforcement is important not only to prevent overcrowding but also to ensure that the facility remains available when they need it.

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