File photo of fencing champion Hoshiyar Singh
A national fencing champion, Hoshiyar Singh, died on Thursday after he was allegedly thrown off a train by the railway police in Uttar Pradesh.
Hoshiyar Singh, who won the bronze medal in an under-17 championship in 2005, was returning with his family from Mathura to his hometown Kasganj when the incident took place. He boarded the general coach after seating his mother and wife in the women's coach.
A short while later, Hoshiyar Singh reportedly came to the women's coach to check on his wife, who was unwell and had called him.
The athlete's family alleges that the railway police demanded a fine of Rs 200 from him for allowing him to enter the women's coach. When he refused to pay, the policemen allegedly assaulted him and threw him off the train.
"They pushed my husband for money. He was in the ladies coach and not talking to me. 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 their young child.
Hoshiyar Singh's family has demanded a case of murder against the policemen.
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.
Union Railways minister Suresh Prabhu tweeted, "Asking UP govt to take strictest possible action against the police. We Cant 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."
In 2011, another national-level athlete, volleyball player Arunima Singh, was thrown off a moving train. She lost her right leg in the incident.