Two MLAs robbed of cash, valuables on train to Mumbai

Mumbai: In two separate incidents, two MLAs were allegedly robbed of cash and other valuables by unidentified persons between Kalyan and Thane railway stations. Both incidents took place Monday morning when Congress MLA Rahul Bondre and Shiv Sena legislator Sanjay Raimulkar were travelling by the Vidarbha Express and Devagiri Express from Malkapur and Jalna, respectively.

Chikhli (Buldhana) MLA, Mr Bondre filed a complaint with the police stating that when the Vidarbha Express halted at platform number 5 of Kalyan railway station for a while, an unidentified person entered the AC bogie reserved for MLAs and fled with a file containing documents and Mr Bondre’s wife’s purse containing Rs 51,000 in cash and an ATM card. According to a police official, Mr Bondre tried to chase the thief, but the latter managed to give him the slip.

The second incident involving Mehkar (Buldhana) MLA Mr Raimulkar unfolded on board the Devagiri Express between Kalyan and Thane railway stations while the train was headed towards the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) from Jalna. “When Mr Raimulkar woke up between Kalyan and Thane, his mobile phone and identity card and Rs 10,000 in cash were missing. The police is making efforts to nab the accused,” a police official said. Two separate offences have been registered against unidentified persons at Kalyan and CSMT railway police stations.

Mr Bondre lashed out at the government while speaking to reporters at the state Legislature premises. “The question is whether thieves are having achche din? It is a serious matter. The incident occurred in the bogie meant for MLAs, which leads to law and order concerns. What must be happening with common citizens if this is the case with MLAs?” he asked. Mr Bondre said that he had also informed Assembly speaker Haribhau Bagade about the incident.

Mr Raimulkar, while narrating his experience, said, “When I woke up (in the train) between Kalyan and Thane, my cell phone was missing and there was no money in the pocket of my shirt. The train attendant too had no clue when I enquired. I lodged a complaint with CSMT on arrival.”