Licensed Firearms Discovered in Unattended Bag on Patna Express in Kochi
The Ernakulam railway police have initiated legal proceedings after confiscating two firearms and ten bullets from a bag left unattended in the reservation coach of the Patna Express. The train arrived at Kochi on Sunday, prompting immediate action from authorities.
Surveillance and Seizure Operation
A dedicated patrolling unit of the railway police identified the suspicious bag during routine checks. Officers maintained continuous surveillance on the item until the train reached Ernakulam Junction, where they formally seized the bag for further examination.
Owner Identification and License Verification
Upon inspection, police discovered a pouch inside the bag bearing the name of a Kochi-based logistics company. Contacting the firm revealed that the firearms belonged to one of their staff members, identified as Ashok Kumar, a native of Uttar Pradesh.
Kumar subsequently presented himself at the police station, producing a valid firearm license issued in Uttar Pradesh. However, authorities have registered a case against him for careless handling of weapons, citing a clear violation of license conditions.
Court Proceedings and Investigation Details
The seized weapons have been formally presented before a court in Ernakulam. Police officials stated that the firearms will be returned to Kumar only after thorough verification of his license authenticity, pending a direct court order.
In his official statement, Kumar explained that he had disembarked from the train at an intermediate stop to make a purchase from the platform. Upon reboarding, he could not locate his bag despite having upgraded his ticket to the reservation coach. He maintained that he remained on the train actively searching for his belongings when police intervened.
Ongoing Investigation and Legal Implications
Railway police authorities have confirmed that a detailed investigation is currently underway to examine all aspects of the incident. The case highlights critical concerns regarding firearm transportation protocols and passenger responsibility on long-distance trains.
This incident underscores the vigilance of railway security personnel in identifying potential threats while emphasizing the legal obligations of licensed firearm owners during travel.
