In a recent sessions court ruling, a traveller in Mumbai was slapped with a fine of INR 21,000 and ordered to pay restitution of INR 5,000 to a train ticket inspector (TTI) who was assaulted.
The incident occurred when TTI Joseph Peterappa and his colleague approached a 25-year-old resident on the first-class coach of the Panvel-CSMT train on February 4, 2020. They requested to see his ticket.
The accused failed to produce a valid ticket. This prompted the TTI to inform him of the fine he would have to pay. The accused presented a snapshot of a ticket purchased through a mobile app called UTS. However, the image copy of the ticket is deemed invalid according to railway rules.
The passenger was let off the train at Seawoods Station. He resorted to physically assaulting TTI Peterappa. Consequently, an FIR was promptly lodged, leading to legal action against the accused.
The additional sessions judge, city civil court, Dr. S. D. Tawshikar, acknowledged that though the accused had no prior criminal record, his violent outburst had severe consequences. The judge chose not to impose a prison sentence but instead handed down a fine of INR 20,000 for assaulting a public officer on duty. Additionally, the accused was subjected to a INR 1,000 penalty for violating the Railways Act.
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