Kolkata, 26 February (H.S.) : A dead body was found hanging inside a compartment of the Mumbai Mail train, triggering panic at the Santragachi railway yard. The Railway Protection Force (RPF) reported the incident on Wednesday morning, stating that the discovery was made late Tuesday evening when the train was taken to the yard for cleaning after arriving at Howrah station. During the routine inspection, railway staff spotted the body hanging inside the train’s toilet.

According to reports, the Mumbai Mail arrived at Howrah station on Tuesday afternoon. After passengers disembarked, the train was sent to the Santragachi yard for cleaning. While inspecting an unreserved coach, railway staff found the toilet door locked from the inside. Instead of attempting to open it themselves, they immediately informed the RPF. Upon arrival, the RPF personnel broke open the door and recovered the body. The police have sent the deceased for post-mortem examination.

The Government Railway Police (GRP) have registered a case of unnatural death. Initial investigations suggest that the deceased may have died by suicide. However, no ticket or identity proof was found near the body, making identification difficult. Police suspect that the incident occurred while the train was still moving.

Several questions have emerged regarding the case. How did passengers fail to notice a body hanging inside the train’s toilet? Did no one report the locked toilet? In a long-distance train like Mumbai Mail, passengers frequently use the washrooms, yet no one raised an alarm. Was the incident already over before the train reached the Santragachi yard?

Authorities believe the post-mortem report will provide crucial answers. Meanwhile, the RPF and local police have launched a detailed investigation into the case.

Hindusthan Samachar / S P Singh