The sessions court on Tuesday directed Thane prison authorities to submit the medical reports of dismissed RPF constable Chetansingh Chaudhary, who has been admitted to Thane Mental Hospital since February 20 due to his allegedly deteriorating mental health.
The prosecution began examining its fifth witness, Narendra Jethalal Parmar, a former RPF Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI). Parmar was on escort duty aboard the Jaipur-Mumbai Central Superfast Express when Chaudhary shot dead his senior colleague, Tika Ram Meena, and three passengers near Palghar on July 31, 2023. Parmar had been dismissed for failing to stop Chaudhary and discharge his duties.
Chaudhary was to be produced before the court through video conferencing. However, while the prosecution began examining Parmar, the prison authorities informed the court that Chaudhary could not be produced as he was still in hospital for his mental health treatment. While the deposition was being recorded, the defence lawyer Jaywant Patil, moved a plea seeking adjournment.
The court hearing this has called for the reports from Thane prison and has scheduled the hearing on March 29.
Parmar in his testimony claimed he was near the B1 compartment when he heard passengers shouting as Chaudhary entered. He then saw Chaudhary holding a long-bearded passenger hostage at gunpoint and moving toward the pantry. Parmar admitted that, despite wanting to intervene, he couldn’t muster the courage and followed at a distance. Moments later, he heard gunfire and turned to find the hostage bleeding on the floor.
