India’s national record holder in men’s pole vault, Dev Kumar Meena, was allegedly forced to get off a train at Panvel station after a dispute with a Travelling Ticket Examiner (TTE), an incident that has now drawn widespread attention on social media.

A video shared online shows Meena describing the ordeal he faced while travelling with fellow pole vaulter Kuldeep Yadav. According to the athletes, the railway official objected to them carrying their pole vault equipment onboard, insisting that the poles were not permitted inside the train.

The two athletes were returning to their training base after competing in the All India Inter-University Championships when the situation escalated. Despite repeated explanations that the long poles were essential sporting equipment, they were allegedly asked to deboard.

In a video message recorded at the station, Meena said they were left stranded at Panvel for nearly five hours while attempting to clarify the matter with railway authorities.

Who is Dev Meena?

Dev Kumar Meena, a pole vaulter from Madhya Pradesh, is one of India’s brightest prospects in the discipline. In April 2025, he broke his own national record by clearing 5.35 metres at the National Federation Senior Athletics Championships.

At just 19 years of age, Meena had earlier set the national mark of 5.32 metres during the Uttarakhand National Games in February, where he finished first in the event. His rapid rise has placed him among the country’s most promising track and field athletes.