Title - Check on drunkards in trains has brought down crime rate, HC told

The Railways on Friday submitted before the Kerala High Court that after the implementation of the drive to check drunkards on its station premises and in trains, the incidents of misbehaviour, nuisance and indecent acts in trains have come down considerably.Railway divisional security commissioner (Railway Protection Force) M Ramesh made the submission in response to a petition filed by  K N Shastry of Kochi challenging the constitutional validity of the recently imposed ban on consuming liquor while travelling in trains.The special drive launched by the Railways to eliminate drunken journey in trains is aimed at ensuring the safety and security of passengers, especially women, and to strengthen the law and order situation in trains. No passenger who is capable of looking after himself will not be subjected to any test. The Railways made it clear that special teams have been formed to take action against persons who are found in an intoxicated state, incapable of looking after themselves and disturbing public morality.The Railways submitted that so far 146 cases were registered against persons who caused nuisance to fellow passengers after getting intoxicated. They used abusive and obscene language against other commuters and committed other offences.The accused persons were removed from trains and railway station premises and have been convicted. The Railways further submitted that it is convinced that the drunkards are the root cause for law and order problems in trains especially indecent behaviours towards women.

The Railways is strictly implementing the order and the action is only for public good and not to harass any passenger. There is no doubt that the railway employees are also not permitted to be on duty while in a state of intoxication, the Railways submitted.

Breath-analysers are used to check the drunken passengers. Cases were registered against the accused under section 145 (a) of the Railway Act. Those found guilty will have to pay a fine of `500 or undergo imprisonment for up to six months.

The petitioner submitted that the Railways’ decision is illegal. “A person being found on the railway premises after having consumed alcohol is not an offender and action can be taken against persons only if they are in a state of intoxication”, the petitioner said.