Dropped mobile phone from a train? Pulling emergency chain could land you in jail!

Chennai: The Railway Protection Force (RPF) has issued a warning to train passengers: Do not pull the emergency chain if your mobile phone accidentally falls out of the train. Pulling the chain without a genuine emergency is a punishable offence.

If a passenger stops the train by pulling the emergency chain because a mobile phone has fallen out, they could face a fine of ₹1,000, imprisonment for up to one year, or both.

In such cases, passengers are advised to note the location where the phone fell and immediately inform railway authorities, the Railway Police or the RPF. You can report the incident by calling the railway helplines 139 or 182.

Once a complaint is received, the RPF will reach the spot, investigate and return the recovered belongings to the rightful owner.

However, the RPF clarified that if valuables such as mobile phones, jewellery or money are stolen, pulling the emergency chain is not considered a violation.