03 June,2026 12:33 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Two booked after WR vigilance team seizes contraband worth Rs 3.25 lakh (Pic/Special arrangement)
In a major crackdown on the illegal transportation of banned tobacco products through railway premises, the Western Railway Vigilance Team on Wednesday seized a large consignment of tobacco, pan masala, and gutka products worth over Rs 3.25 lakh from a train at Vasai Road Railway Station (BSR).
As per the official statement, the seizure was made during a vigilance check conducted on Train No. 06282, the Mysuru Special Fare Express, on June 2.
The operation was carried out jointly by the Western Railway Vigilance Team, Railway Protection Force (RPF), Government Railway Police (GRP), and railway officials.
According to the officials, the contraband was discovered in the SLRD coach of the train. Two individuals, identified as Rohit Mishra and Pankaj Sahu, were found to be allegedly involved in transporting the prohibited products.
During the inspection, officials recovered 1,771 packets of tobacco, pan masala, and gutka of various brands packed inside eight PVC bags. The total value of the seized products has been estimated at approximately Rs 3,25,678 based on the maximum retail price (MRP).
Authorities also found that both accused were travelling without valid railway tickets or journey authority.
Following the seizure, railway officials prepared a panchnama and detailed inventory of the recovered material at Vasai Road Station in the presence of independent witnesses and railway personnel.
The confiscated contraband, apprehended individuals, and relevant documents were subsequently handed over to the Senior Police Inspector of the Government Railway Police for further investigation.
Officials also highlighted that a case has been registered against the accused. The charges include Sections 223, 275, and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, along with Sections 30(2)(a), 58, and 59 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. The accused have also been booked under Sections 147, 155, and 162 of the Railways Act, 1989.
In a different scenario, the Mumbai Railway Crime Branch on Tuesday arrested four members of an inter-state gang involved in the theft of gold jewellery worth Rs 1,62,27,500 from a sleeping passenger aboard the Siddheshwar Express.
The incident took place between December 6 and 7, 2025, when complainant Abhaykumar Madanlal Jain (52), a gold jewellery trader from Goregaon East, was travelling from Solapur to Kalyan in Coach No. A-1 of Train No. 12116 (Siddheshwar Express).
According to officials, the accused allegedly took advantage of the passenger being asleep and stole one of his two trolley bags, which contained gold ornaments, while it was kept chained under his seat.
