Fencing champion dies after being pushed off a moving train in Uttar Pradesh

LUCKNOW: A 27-year-old national-level fencing champion died after he was allegedly pushed off a moving train by railway police personnel at Sikandra Rao station in UP's Hathras district.

The alleged incident took place when Hoshiyar Singh was travelling with his mother, wife and their 10-month-old child in Kasganj-Mathura passenger train yesterday.

Though there was no official word as to how he died, his family members alleged that when Singh went to the women's coach to meet his ailing wife, Government Railway Police (GRP) personnel stopped him and asked for Rs 200.

When he refused to pay, he was thrown off the train by police personnel, they alleged.

Union Minister of State for Railways Manoj Sinha said, "A team of senior officials has been sent to the spot and investigation has been ordered. Once the report comes, further action will be taken."

The athelete's younger brother Munesh Kumar Singh said all of them were returning home to Mathura after attending a function at Patiyali block in Kasganj district and had boarded the passenger train around noon.

"While the ladies sat in the women's coach with the baby, my brother was travelling in the general coach. My sister-in- law complained of dizziness and my mother phoned my brother," Munesh said.

He claimed that his brother had alighted at the Sikandra Rao station, 40 kms from Aligarh, to meet his wife when two GRP constables stopped him from entering the women's coach.

"He pleaded that his wife was unwell, but they would not listen. They asked for Rs 200," he alleged.

The family demanded that a murder case be lodged against the officials.

The athelete's wife further alleged that the police came and asked her husband what he was doing in the ladies' coach.

"They pushed him and he got stuck between the train and platform," she claimed.

Shashibala, the victim's mother, claimed, "My son was just about to give them the money when the train began to move. The GRP constable pushed him and he was trapped between the train and platform."

In 2005, Singh had won a bronze medal in the under-17 national championship held in Kerala.

Reacting to the incident, BSP chief Mayawati told reporters outside Parliament, "This is a very sad incident. The Centre and UP government should intervene and help the family get justice."

In 2011, national-level athlete, volleyball player Arunima, was thrown off a moving train by robbers and lost her right leg in the incident.