A ticket-checking incident at Kandivali railway station escalated on Friday evening after a Chief Ticket Inspector allegedly fell while attempting to stop a woman suspected of travelling without a valid ticket, according to an account issued by Western Railway. The episode later drew a group to the station’s ticket-checking office, prompting intervention by the Government Railway Police and the Railway Protection Force.
The incident occurred at about 7.30 pm in the western circulating area of Kandivali station, where Chief Ticket Inspector Priya Ambavade was carrying out routine ticket-checking duty, Western Railway said. The woman, described by the railway administration as being around 25 years old, allegedly requested that she be allowed to leave without paying a penalty. Ambavade continued with the ticket-checking procedure, according to the railway account.
Another woman was also found travelling without a ticket and paid the applicable penalty, the railway said. The first woman allegedly attempted to leave the station to avoid the ticket-checking process. While trying to stop her, Ambavade reportedly lost her balance and fell on the platform. Western Railway said the woman’s clothing was partially torn during the incident.
The woman was subsequently taken to the ticket-checking office for further action. However, three to four unidentified women accompanying her allegedly intervened and took her away from railway premises, disrupting the process, according to the railway account.
The situation escalated when a group gathered outside the ticket-checking office and raised allegations against the inspector, including claims of inappropriate language and arrogant behaviour. Western Railway said the gathering allegedly pressured Ambavade to issue a public apology, which she declined. An individual claiming to be a journalist also approached the inspector for a statement, but she declined to comment at that stage.
The GRP and RPF intervened to manage the situation and disperse the gathering. Western Railway said most people had left the spot following the intervention, while a few individuals remained. Authorities were monitoring the situation to ensure the safety of railway staff and passengers and to restore normalcy at the station.
The railway administration said ticket-checking personnel must be able to perform their duties without intimidation or obstruction. It added that allegations concerning railway staff should be examined objectively through appropriate channels and on the basis of available evidence.
Western Railway reiterated its commitment to enforcing ticketing rules fairly and urged passengers to cooperate with authorised personnel. The account supplied by the railway administration did not specify whether any formal complaint, penalty recovery or further action had been recorded against the individuals involved.
