2 Hyderabad women looted of Rs 15L on Rajkot Express

MUMBAI: A Hyderabad-based family, which was looking forward to a grand wedding party in Gujarat, had their plans ruined after an elderly woman among them was looted of valuables worth Rs 14.25 lakh on the Rajkot Express on Wednesday. The incident has again brought into focus the need for enhanced security on long-distance trains. Another female passenger was looted of valuables worth Rs 50,000.

Nirmala Rochiramani, 69, was in a group of 20 headed to Surat. The family was carrying a lot of luggage as her niece was to tie the knot in Surat. "While Nirmala and some relatives were in coach A2, we were in the adjacent A1," her brother, Narayan Ramchandani, told TOI. "We boarded the train at 3 pm on Tuesday. When it was nearing Vasai, at 5.45 am on Wednesday, another of my sisters, Sheela, felt someone tug at her handbag in coach A1. We were all asleep. Sheela raised an alarm. I grabbed the thief's collar though it was dark. He freed himself and jumped off the running train," Ramchandani said.

"At 6.30 am, Nirmala came to meet us and appeared upset. She too had been asleep when her handbag was stolen. It contained gold and diamond-studded rings, bangles and necklaces for the wedding, besides cellphones and vital documents," Ramchandani said. "There was at least anot-her thief on the train. Had I known this, I would have pulled the chain and Nirmala's valuables may not have been looted."

Another traveller from A2, Vijayalaxmi M, told TOI that she had heard of stone-pelting on long-distance trains that passed through Maharashtra. "Late on Tuesday, we had discussed our apprehensions with the train guard but he assured us that we were protected. The last time we noticed security on our train was when it passed Kalyan," said Vijayalaxmi.

Passengers pulled the chain at Vapi and the Valsad GRP recorded Nirmala and Vijayalaxmi's statements. The FIR will be transferred to the Vasai GRP. Vijayalaxmi said a large gang may be involved.