A ticket-checking incident at Kandivali Railway Station turned tense on Friday evening after a woman allegedly tried to leave without completing the penalty process and accompanying women allegedly removed her from the railway premises, according to Western Railway. A Chief Ticket Inspector reportedly fell while attempting to stop the passenger, while the Government Railway Police and Railway Protection Force intervened to disperse a gathering outside the ticket-checking office.
The incident took place at around 7.30 pm in the western circulating area of Kandivali station, where Chief Ticket Inspector Priya Ambavade, who is attached to Kandivali, was carrying out routine ticket-checking duties. Western Railway’s account was reported after CCTV footage of the dispute surfaced.
According to the railway administration, a woman aged around 25 was found travelling without a valid ticket. She initially requested that she be allowed to leave without paying the applicable penalty, but Ambavade continued with the ticket-checking procedure. Another woman was also found without a ticket and paid the required penalty, Western Railway said.
The first woman allegedly attempted to flee the station to avoid the ticket-checking process. While trying to stop her, Ambavade reportedly lost her balance and fell on the platform. The railway account also stated that the woman’s clothing was partially torn during the incident. The circumstances surrounding the fall and the interaction between the passenger and the inspector are expected to be examined using the available evidence, including CCTV footage.
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 the railway premises, disrupting the official process, according to Western Railway.
The situation escalated when a group gathered outside the office and raised allegations against the inspector, including claims that she had used inappropriate language and behaved arrogantly. 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 did not comment at that stage.
The GRP and RPF later intervened to manage the situation and disperse the gathering. Western Railway said most people had left the area after the intervention, while a few remained. Authorities continued monitoring the station to ensure the safety of railway staff and passengers and to restore normal operations.
Western Railway 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. The railway administration also reiterated that ticketing rules would be enforced fairly and urged passengers to cooperate with authorised personnel.
