Nigerian dies after being detained over train brawl

A Nigerian national has died after being detained and questioned by Railway Protection Force officials at Surat Railway Station in India, prompting an investigation by the Government Railway Police into the circumstances surrounding his death.

The man, whose identity has not been disclosed, was travelling from Mumbai to Delhi aboard the Golden Temple Express when he was detained at Surat following an alleged altercation with other passengers, The Indian Express reported on Thursday.

According to police, the incident occurred on August 17 after a passenger contacted the railway helpline, 139, alleging that the Nigerian and another passenger were involved in a fight near one of the train’s gates.

Police sources said the Nigerian allegedly used a fire extinguisher on fellow passengers during the incident while the train was travelling between Vapi and Surat.

He was subsequently detained when the train arrived at Surat and taken to the RPF office for questioning.

The man reportedly collapsed while at the office and was rushed to the Surat Municipal Institute of Medical Education and Research Hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.

The Surat GRP has opened an “accidental death” case, while the outcome of a post-mortem examination conducted on August 18 was still being awaited.

Western Railway Superintendent of Police, Abhay Soni, said preliminary investigations established that the deceased was a Nigerian national who lived in Vasai, Mumbai.

“After primary investigations, it is believed that the deceased was a Nigerian national. When Surat RPF caught him, he didn’t have any of his identity cards with him,” Soni told The Indian Express.

Soni also said the man had previously been arrested twice in Mumbai over alleged cocaine trafficking.

“He lived in Vasai (Mumbai) and was arrested twice by Malwani and Malad police in Mumbai for drug (cocaine) trafficking cases in 2018,” he said.

However, police said the circumstances surrounding his journey to Delhi remained unclear. Soni confirmed that the man had boarded the train at Borivali in Mumbai.

The GRP has commenced an inquiry into the death and is expected to take statements from the officers who detained the man and personnel who were present at the RPF office when he collapsed.

“We have started an inquiry. Statements from the police officials who caught him and those present at the police station will be taken. We are also waiting for the autopsy report,” Soni said.

The investigation is being led by Deputy Superintendent of Police D. H. Gaur.