A foreign national died in police custody at Surat railway station after allegedly fighting with passengers and attacking them with a fire extinguisher aboard the Golden Temple Express, which was travelling from Mumbai to Delhi on Monday night.

The man, believed to be around 45 years old, has not yet been identified and police have not confirmed his nationality. He was taken into custody after the altercation and later collapsed during questioning at the Railway Protection Force (RPF) police station. He was taken to hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

Foreign National Attacks Passengers On Train

The incident began after the Golden Temple Express, which had departed from Bandra Terminus, was travelling towards Delhi. The RPF control room received information that a foreign national was creating a disturbance in a general coach and arguing with passengers.

RPF personnel reached the coach and attempted to calm the man by speaking to him in English. However, according to police, he became more aggressive and began fighting with passengers.

The man allegedly removed a fire extinguisher installed inside the coach and used it to attack passengers. Two passengers also fought back as the altercation escalated, prompting authorities to alert the Surat control room, Government Railway Police (GRP) and RPF.

Man Taken Into Custody At Surat Station

When the train reached Surat railway station at around 10 pm, approximately 15 to 20 GRP and RPF personnel were deployed on the platform. The personnel entered the coach and eventually brought the man under control.

He was removed from the train and taken to the RPF police station on Platform 1 for questioning. Police said the action was taken as per protocol following the disturbance on the train.

Surat Western Railway Superintendent of Police Abhay Soni told India Today’s sister channel Aaj Tak that the railway police had received information through ‘Rail Madad’ at around 10 pm about a foreign national fighting with Indian passengers aboard the train.

Man Collapses During Police Questioning

While officers were conducting preliminary questioning at the RPF police station, the foreign national suddenly collapsed and became unconscious.

Police immediately called an ambulance and took him to Surat’s SMIMER Hospital in a 108 ambulance. Doctors examined him at the hospital and declared him dead.

Soni said the man had become unconscious during questioning and was subsequently taken to hospital, where he was declared dead. Authorities have initiated an inquiry into the custodial death and are also working to establish his identity.

Police Begin Custodial Death Investigation

Surat Railway Police has registered a case of accidental death and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death. Deputy Superintendent of Police (DYSP) DH Gaur has been assigned to investigate the case.

A post-mortem examination has been conducted at SMIMER Hospital. Police said the exact cause of death will be established after the post-mortem report is received.

Investigators are also trying to determine the identity and nationality of the deceased. Police said he was carrying no identification documents and that only a mobile phone was recovered from him.

Phone Data To Be Examined For Identification

Police said data from the mobile phone will be recovered and examined in accordance with forensic protocols and prescribed standards. The information could help investigators establish the man’s identity and provide further details about the circumstances leading up to the incident.

Soni said the initial dispute reportedly began when the foreign national stood near the train gate and got into an argument with other passengers over a seat.

Some passengers sustained injuries during the altercation, police said. Separate legal proceedings related to those injuries are also underway as investigators examine the fight involving the foreign national and other passengers.

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