Denied leave, trackman jumps in front of train

Mumbai: A railway trackman Bablu Kumar, who had joined service in 2016, allegedly committed suicide by jumping on the tracks in front of the Mumbai-Shirdi Superfast Express in Shirdi on Wednesday, ostensibly because he had not been granted leave since April 2017. In a mobile video he had shot apparently before taking the extreme step, Kumar is seen expressing how he was upset with the alleged casteist attitude of superior officers as he belonged to a scheduled tribe (ST), which went viral. Meanwhile, the Central Railway (CR) ordered probe into his allegations.

CR chief spokesperson Sunil Udasi said, “This is very unfortunate incident. A high level enquiry has been ordered into it. Solapur ADRM has been sent to the spot to enquire into the allegation. Mortal remains of Bablu Kumar will be flown to Bihar at his native place by airplane on Thursday.”