Now,imprisonment for those crossing rly tracks

The police booked Prakash Jayantilal Pathak (42) under Section 147 of the Railway Act 1989 (trespass and refusal to desist from trespass). The accused was sentenced to seven days’ simple imprisonment.

In another case,the court sentenced Raju Babu Gediya (35) to three days’ simple imprisonment and slapped a fine of Rs 100 on him. According to the Indian Railways Act,1989,if any person enters upon or into any part of a railway without lawful authority,or having lawfully entered upon or into such part misuses such property or refuses to leave,he shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend upto six months,or with fine which may extend upto Rs 1,000,or with both. This is the first time that offenders have been given a prison term ahead of a fine as punishment.

In another case,33-year-old Dipak Sibedar DP Rai was sentenced to simple imprisonment till the rising of the court and fined Rs 1,000. He had earlier told the court that he crossed the tracks to fetch his mobile that had fallen on the tracks.

Four other commuters— Mithilesh Tulsiram Pandey (35),Naresh Mithalal Jain (22),Fakruddin Mustafa Shaikh (23) and Nilesh Dattaranm Bane (21)— were asked to pay a penalty of Rs 1,000.

Shyam Sunder Gupta,Chief Public Relations officer,WR said,“Such judgements would definitely work as a deterrent and prevent commuters from endangering their lives.”

Many railway officials believe that there should be a severe penalty so that commuters think twice before crossing the line.

The RPF will organise a Gandhigiri programme for Central Railways between June 22 to June 25 to stop passengers from crossing tracks. “During this period,we will make the commuters understand that they may lose their lives while crossing tracks. We will organise programmes whereby children will spread the relevant message. Also,if we catch offenders we might hold them for an hour and impart lessons on safety,” said a senior inspector,RPF,CR.

SC Parhi,Senior Divisional Security commissioner,RPF,CR,said,“This is our way of convincing people. Street plays are being performed at stations for spreading awareness. The artists of the plays have been given mikes so that their message is understood clearly.