Model and web series actress Antara Banerjee was arrested after an altercation with Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel aboard the Aravali Express, following a dispute over her travelling in a reserved AC coach without the required ticket.
The 31-year-old actress was reportedly travelling to Surat for a shoot on August 12 when the incident took place. According to the police complaint, Banerjee had a sleeper-class ticket but was allegedly travelling in an AC coach reserved for passengers with confirmed bookings.
The incident reportedly occurred between Borivali and Dahanu between around 9.30 pm and 10.50 pm.
According to the complaint, a passenger objected to Banerjee occupying a reserved seat and asked her to move. When she allegedly refused, the passenger informed ticket collector Harikesh Tripathi and RPF personnel.
RPF Assistant Sub-Inspector Yaminikant Mishra and constable Rajesh Kumar reportedly approached Banerjee to resolve the dispute. Police allege that the situation then escalated, with Banerjee allegedly abusing the officials and becoming aggressive.
Investigators have alleged that she subsequently removed her clothes and displayed a razor blade during the confrontation. Mishra was allegedly injured during the incident, while Banerjee also sustained injuries.
The RPF personnel reportedly secured the doors of the AC coach to prevent the situation from escalating further. Police said Banerjee allegedly attempted to break the coach’s glass while trying to leave.
She was eventually taken off the train at Dahanu station and handed over to the Government Railway Police (GRP).
Actress Taken Into Custody
Banerjee was subsequently taken into custody by the Borivali railway police the following morning.
Borivali GRP inspector Kunda Gavade said that eyewitness accounts indicated that the actress may have become distressed after being unable to obtain an AC ticket.
According to the police, Banerjee declined requests to contact family members or seek legal assistance and instead insisted that she be arrested.
“She calmed down after the FIR was registered,” Gavade said.
FIR Registered Over Train Incident
An FIR was registered on August 13 in connection with the incident.
Police booked Banerjee under provisions relating to endangering public safety, causing serious injury to public servants, assault and intentional insult.
She was subsequently served a police notice and released on bail.
The investigation into the incident is continuing, with police examining the accounts of the RPF personnel, passengers and other witnesses who were present during the journey.
The incident reportedly caused considerable disruption inside the coach, with passengers left shaken by the confrontation.
