PERSONAL ATTENTION OF SHRI PK SANGHI, DRM, AMBALA DIVISION

Respected Sir,


1. I am a serving soldier and presently posted with Headquarters 5 Mountain Division, c/o99 APO (far border areas in Eastern Provinces). I have been posted to this Headquarters from a Highly Active Field Area where I was assigned the anti-terrorism duties in the deep borders of Jammu & Kashmir valleys.

2. I would like to narrate the incident dated 03 January 2011 for your appropriate action as deemed suitable. I got reserved my seat reserved to travel by Kalka - New Delhi Shatabdi departing from Ambala Cantt towards New Delhi at 0738hrs on 03 Jan 2011. However, due to few jams (while travelling from Bhatinda (my home town) to Ambala Cantt) I could not catch the aforesaid train. When I reached at the Ambala Cantt Station the train was gone. Since I was to catch the ARMY COURIER FLIGHT from New Delhi to join my duties on the same day, I purchased another “GENERAL” class ticket to travel from Ambala Cantt to New Delhi and decided to board JANSHATABDI Express, which was ready to leave Ambala Cantt at 0855hrs on 03 January 2011.

3. While boarding the train I asked the TT on the platform about availability of seat, which he intern told that there is no seat available in the train and the entire train is FULL. However, one of four other army jawans (who were also going towards New Delhi) told me that "Sir, there are few seats vacant in the train, and we will request the TT to make the ticket paying surcharge on our present tickets" and thus we all boarded the train at D-3 coach (where almost 8 – 9 seats were seen vacant).

4. Sir, when the train got started the same TT (who was neither wearing his NAMEPLATE nor any BADGE) came in the coach (D-3) immediately at the Ambala Cantt stn and asked us to go to toilet side. Then he shouted upon us there and asked us to pay Rs 554/- each for boarding the train with the penalty (which is beyond our imagination as also contradictory to the railway rules). After that he gone to check other coach and came back after 2 - 3 minutes and demanded us to pay Rs 200/- each which we paid and he told go and occupy the seat wherever the seat is vacant which we did (I have the video clipping of this entire episode intact, while the TT accepted the bribery). He did not gave any RECEIPT for the Rs 1000/- (@ 200/- each for we five soldiers) I have paid.

5. When the train reached next station, I asked the TT for the receipt of Rs 200/- he shouted arrogantly upon me and humiliated me by saying I brought you in the train. He refused to give any receipt for our hardcore earned money. He along with another TT (who incidentally was wearing the BADGE and NAMEPLATE, but due to darkness there I could not see anything) shouted upon me that nothing can be issued for Rs 200/- each (which we paid to the TT wearing the spectacles). I also do possess the entire video clipping of the above conversation.

6. In view of the above you are requested to investigate the matter and arrange to refund us our hardcore money ASAP.

7. Also imagine if these clippings are given to the media how much damage will be done to the entire image of INDIAN RAILWAYS, when you all are involved in “Damage Control” process.

8. Awaiting your prompt and soonest reply to enable me to raise the issue at the appropriate agencies, with the VIDEO TAPES as quoted at Para 5 and 6 above).

Thanking you in anticipation, Sir.

Yours sincerely,

Subedar Wagh Sanjay

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