BJP MLA Calls Vande Bharat Train Incident “Unfortunate”, Cites Misunderstanding

Jhansi:
BJP MLA from Babina, Rajeev Singh, on Thursday addressed the recent controversy involving an altercation aboard the Vande Bharat Express on May 19, calling the episode a “misunderstanding” that was unnecessarily escalated. He also described the subsequent attack on a passenger by his supporters in Jhansi as “unfortunate and unintended”.

Speaking at a press conference, Mr. Singh explained that he was traveling with his wife and children from Delhi to Jhansi and had politely asked a co-passenger to exchange seats so the family could sit together. He claimed the passenger and a companion responded with hostility and threats. According to the MLA, video footage now validates his version of the incident.

The Uttar Pradesh BJP unit issued a show-cause notice to Mr. Singh on June 22, asking him to respond within seven days. The Government Railway Police (GRP) reported that the confrontation, which occurred on June 19 aboard the Delhi-Bhopal Vande Bharat Express, involved a dispute over seat changes and alleged inappropriate seating behavior.

Things took a turn at Jhansi station, where a passenger was reportedly assaulted by individuals linked to the MLA. Mr. Singh said he had filed a non-cognisable report (NCR) with the GRP that evening and had contacted the Rail Madad helpline during the journey due to concerns about safety.

He acknowledged that his local supporters, informed by his security personnel, had acted out of “over-enthusiasm” upon the train’s arrival in Jhansi. He insisted that the attack occurred without his consent and claimed to have later apologized to the passenger, who accepted the apology and acknowledged the misunderstanding.

The incident has sparked political backlash, with opposition leaders and a former IPS officer calling for action. However, the assaulted passenger has yet to file a formal complaint. The case remains under police investigation.

News Source : Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.