A disturbing video from Uttar Pradesh’s Jhansi has surfaced online, showing a passenger being violently assaulted inside a train compartment. The footage, widely shared across social media, depicts several men attacking the traveller with belts and sticks as horrified passengers look on. The incident has reignited concerns about overcharging and passenger safety in Indian Railways.

Meal Price Dispute Turns Violent

According to reports, the victim, identified as Nihal, was travelling with his family on the Andaman Express on August 25 when he ordered a vegetarian meal from onboard vendors. He later realised he was being charged Rs 130 for a thali that should have cost Rs 110, as per railway price regulations. Nihal’s protest against the overcharge allegedly enraged the vendor, who left briefly but soon returned with others and began attacking him.

Assault Caught on Camera

The short video clip shows Nihal being beaten with belts and sticks inside the coach, while fellow passengers try to shield him. His family members, who attempted to intervene, were also pushed aside during the scuffle. The assault stopped only when other passengers in the compartment stepped in to separate the attackers. The visuals have drawn widespread condemnation online.

Victim’s Complaint Dismissed by Police

After the train reached Bina station, Nihal tried to register a complaint with the Government Railway Police (GRP). However, he claimed that officers declined to file an FIR and advised him to travel to Gwalior to pursue the case. “I am a middle-class student. I couldn’t afford to do this again and again,” he wrote online. “Now I apologise. I made a mistake by taking the food,” he added in frustration.

Social Media Demands Accountability

The video first appeared on X (formerly Twitter) through a post by the NCMIndia Council for Men Affairs, with the caption: “Catering Mafia of Indian Railways strike again. A passenger was brutally beaten on the Andaman Express at Jhansi Railway Station after refusing to pay Rs 130 for a thali priced at Rs 110.”

Soon after, users began tagging railway authorities and demanding strict action. Commentator The Skin Doctor posted sarcastically: “A passenger named Nihaal crossed all lines of decency by objecting to being overcharged… The catering staff could have thrown him off the moving train but chose to only beat him peacefully with a belt and a few punches.” The post drew thousands of angry reactions.

Railways Call Video ‘Old’, But Probe Ordered

Amid mounting criticism, Jhansi Division PRO Manoj Kumar said the division had not received any formal report of the incident. “It has not yet come to the notice of me or our security agencies,” he said.

In a separate post, the North Central Railway (NCR) claimed the footage was not recent. “This is an old video being posted in an attempt to mislead people. No FIR has been filed regarding any incident of this type occurring in Jhansi or nearby areas. Please do not spread confusion by posting old videos,” the official statement read.

However, railway sources later confirmed that an internal inquiry was initiated to verify the authenticity of the footage and the conduct of catering staff during the alleged incident.

Concerns Over Passenger Safety Intensify

The violent episode has once again highlighted gaps in onboard monitoring and vendor regulation. Passenger-rights groups have demanded stronger supervision of private catering contracts and better redressal mechanisms for passengers facing overcharging or harassment.

While officials maintain that the video could be from a previous incident, the outrage it has sparked underscores growing frustration among rail travellers who feel unprotected and unheard.