Fencing champion Hoshiyar Singh's family alleges he died after he was thrown off train by railway police
A national fencing champion, Hoshiyar Singh, died on Thursday allegedly after he was thrown off a train by the railway police in Uttar Pradesh.
The 27-year-old, who won the bronze medal in an under-17 championship in 2005, was travelling with his mother, wife and 10-month-old child on the train from Mathura to his hometown Kasganj when the incident took place.
The railway ministry has ordered an investigation into the family's allegations that the athlete was pushed off the train for refusing to pay a fine for entering the women's compartment.
Hoshiyar Singh, who was in the general coach, had apparently tried to board the women's coach to meet his wife, who was unwell.
Hoshiyar Singh's wife alleges that the policemen demanded Rs 200 from the athlete, and when he refused to pay, they pushed him. "They pushed my husband for money. Police came and asked him what he was doing in the ladies coach. I begged them to let him talk to me. They pushed him and he got stuck. I hope they are punished," said his wife, holding her young child.
Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu tweeted that he had asked for the "strictest possible action" against the police. "We can't tolerate crime by uniformed police, supposed to be Protector (sic). Ordered immediate action on police for this heinous crime. Condolence to bereaved family. Such acts can't be tolerated," he posted.
An FIR or police complaint has been filed against a constable, but the police claim the athlete slipped and fell.
"He was on his way to Mathura. He had got off to drink water and while trying to catch up with the moving train he slipped and got stuck," said a police officer.
In 2011, another national-level athlete, volleyball player Arunima Singh, was thrown off a moving train. She lost her right leg in the incident.