Thiruvananthapuram: The amicus curiae appointed by the Kerala High Court has raised concerns that some vendors and beggars on trains may be sharing information about passengers with habitual offenders. In a report submitted to the court, it was noted that repeat offenders might be receiving assistance from such individuals.

The report also recommended that women’s and general compartments should be interconnected without obstruction and that emergency toll-free services and the presence of Railway Police be ensured for passenger safety.

Why amicus curiae?

The High Court had appointed advocate R. Leela as amicus curiae suo motu in the case relating to the 2021 Mulanthuruthy incident, where a young woman jumped from a moving train to escape an attacker in the general compartment.

The report emphasised that when installing security systems such as CCTV cameras and alarms, authorities must ensure they are in working condition. Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRP) personnel on duty should carry out regular checks in coaches.

It also observed that the unfriendly behaviour of Railway Police officers discourages passengers from filing complaints. The report, submitted in August 2021, further noted that the Railways does not treat cases of missing luggage, mobile phones, and laptops with sufficient seriousness.

Key Recommendations

  • Display photographs of habitual offenders in coaches to help passengers identify and alert RPF or Railway Police.
  • Prevent unauthorised persons from entering platforms and trains without valid tickets.
  • Upgrade train coaches with enhanced security features.
  • Increase the penalty for entering women’s compartments — currently ₹500 under the Railway Act — or introduce imprisonment.
  • Restrict the entry of beggars, vendors, and ticketless travellers who may pass on information to offenders.
  • Promote public awareness about emergency toll-free numbers — 182, 139, and the 112 India mobile app.
  • Deploy Scout Cadets, Student Police, and Home Guards at railway stations to reduce crime rates.
  • Encourage Railway Police to interact with passengers in a friendly manner, following the Janamaithri Police model.

Half of Kerala’s Trains Lack Police Security

In about half of the trains operating in Kerala, there is no police presence to ensure passenger safety. The rule requiring the deployment of two police officers per train is routinely violated.

Although the state government has expressed readiness to provide sufficient personnel, the Railways has not agreed to their deployment. Following the murder of a young woman at Vallathol Nagar in 2011, a high-level meeting decided to assign 200 state police officers to railway duty. However, the proposal is still awaiting approval.

Under the existing arrangement, the Railways must cover half the salary costs of the officers deployed with the Railway Police. Yet, the Railways has neither approved the appointments nor paid its share of the salaries. It also owes the state police ₹54.6 crore in arrears for security services already provided.

Over 200 trains pass through Kerala daily. On the Kanyakumari–Kasaragod stretch alone, a train requires at least four shifts, with two officers per shift in one direction. With just 700 officers currently serving in the Railway Police, it is impossible to ensure security on all trains.

Railway Police Facing Infrastructure Challenges

Of the 13 Railway Police stations in Kerala, only three have adequate facilities. The remaining stations operate from old, poorly maintained buildings lacking even basic amenities. As the Railways is responsible for providing this infrastructure, the state police cannot use its own funds to upgrade the facilities.

Night Surveillance to Be Intensified

In the wake of the recent attack on a female passenger aboard the Kerala Express, the Railway Police have decided to increase night-time surveillance. Patrolling will be intensified between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. by deploying the maximum available personnel.

Cameras Without Live Monitoring

While newer coaches are equipped with surveillance cameras, live monitoring facilities are currently available only on the Vande Bharat Express. Footage from the Vande Bharat is transmitted directly to a centralised control room, whereas recordings from other trains must be retrieved manually after incidents occur.