A regular evening train ride took a dangerous turn at Sealdah station when a woman reportedly used pepper spray inside a crowded women’s compartment during a dispute over seating. The act left several passengers coughing and two children unwell, sparking outrage both inside the train and online.

The dramatic scene unfolded inside a Sealdah-bound local train, where, according to eyewitnesses, a woman clad in a green kurti engaged in a quarrel with another female commuter over a seat. Failing to get the spot she was arguing for, she allegedly pulled out a can of pepper spray and attempted to use it on the woman she was confronting.

The situation quickly spiraled when another passenger stepped in to de-escalate the tension. At that point, the woman allegedly sprayed the irritant into the air of the compartment, affecting many around her.

Instagram user Amrita Sarkar, who was present during the chaos, shared a video of the incident that has since gone viral. Describing what she called a “dangerous experience,” Sarkar detailed the physical discomfort passengers faced: “Everyone started coughing; their throats and noses started burning. Two children started feeling unwell,” she wrote.

In the video, fellow commuters can be seen confronting the woman, questioning her aggressive actions. One passenger can be heard asking, “Why did you do this when there were children here?” The woman appears subdued as multiple people record the encounter.

Reacting swiftly, passengers overpowered the woman and handed her over to the Government Railway Police (GRP), who have since taken her in for questioning. An investigation into the matter is underway, according to railway authorities.

What began as a simple disagreement over seats escalated into a health hazard for those present, especially given the crowded conditions of local trains. Many commuters have expressed concern over how easily a defensive tool like pepper spray was turned into a means of aggression.

Sarkar, in her social media post, criticised the misuse of the spray, stressing that such items are meant for real threats, not petty altercations. She noted the woman “crossed her limits” and appeared “totally criminal minded,” showing little remorse for the panic and discomfort she caused.

The viral video and the disturbing details have triggered a wave of backlash online. Social media users condemned the misuse of pepper spray in public transport, warning that such reckless behaviour could have had more serious consequences.

As the GRP continues its inquiry, the incident has reignited discussions on safety protocols in public transport, especially around the use and regulation of personal safety devices.