A Nigerian national has died after he was detained and questioned by Railway Protection Force officials at Surat Railway Station in India, with authorities launching an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
The man, whose identity was not disclosed, was travelling from Mumbai to Delhi aboard the Golden Temple Express when he was detained at Surat following an alleged altercation with fellow passengers.
Passenger reports alleged fight
According to a report by The Indian Express, the incident occurred on August 17 after a passenger contacted the railway helpline, 139, to report that the Nigerian national and another passenger were allegedly fighting near one of the train’s gates.
Police sources said the Nigerian allegedly sprayed a fire extinguisher at co-passengers during the altercation while the train was travelling between Vapi and Surat stations.
Following the report, Railway Protection Force officials detained the man when the train arrived at Surat. He was subsequently taken to the RPF office for questioning.
Man reportedly collapsed during questioning
The Nigerian reportedly collapsed while at the RPF office, prompting officials to rush him to the Surat Municipal Institute of Medical Education and Research Hospital.
However, doctors at the hospital reportedly declared him dead on arrival.
The Surat Government Railway Police subsequently registered a case of accidental death and began investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
A post-mortem examination was conducted on August 18, but the report was still being awaited as of Wednesday evening.
Police confirm Nigerian nationality
Western Railway Superintendent of Police, Abhay Soni, said preliminary investigations indicated that the deceased was a Nigerian national who lived in Vasai, Mumbai.
Soni said the man did not have any identity documents with him when he was detained by the RPF officials.
“After primary investigations, it is believed that the deceased was a Nigerian national. When Surat RPF caught him, he didn’t have any of his identity cards with him,” Soni told The Indian Express.
The police officer said the identity of the deceased was yet to be officially established as investigations continued.
Police link deceased to previous arrests
Soni also disclosed that the deceased had previously been arrested twice by police in Mumbai in connection with alleged cocaine trafficking cases.
“He lived in Vasai (Mumbai) and was arrested twice by Malwani and Malad police in Mumbai for drug (cocaine) trafficking cases in 2018,” he said.
However, authorities have not disclosed whether the previous arrests had any connection with the circumstances surrounding his death at the Surat railway station.
Police are also investigating why the Nigerian was travelling to Delhi and what led to the alleged confrontation aboard the train.
Inquiry launched into death
Soni confirmed that the man had boarded the Golden Temple Express at Borivali in Mumbai and said the purpose of his journey remained under investigation.
He added that the GRP had commenced an inquiry and would obtain statements from the officers who detained the Nigerian and those who were present at the RPF office when he reportedly collapsed.
“We have started an inquiry. Statements from the police officials who caught him and those present at the police station will be taken. We are also waiting for the autopsy report,” Soni said.
The investigation is being conducted by Deputy Superintendent of Police D H Gaur, while authorities await the post-mortem findings to determine the circumstances surrounding the Nigerian’s death.
