Mumbai Local Train Accident: RPF–GRP Clash Resurfaces After Mumbra Tragedy FIR — What’s Behind the Rift?

Mumbai: The long-standing tension between the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and the Government Railway Police (GRP) has once again come to the forefront — this time following an FIR filed by GRP against two railway engineers in connection with the Mumbra train tragedy that claimed five lives five months ago.

While no major confrontation has occurred between the two forces in recent times, conflicts over jurisdiction, investigation rights, and coordination responsibilities have repeatedly strained their relationship. The latest episode has reignited debate over their overlapping duties and accountability within the Indian Railways system.

Background: FIR Sparks Union Outrage

In the Mumbra accident, five passengers lost their lives earlier this year. The Railway’s internal inquiry had attributed the cause of death to the curvature of the track and collision of passengers’ bags, dismissing negligence on the part of officials.

However, the GRP’s independent investigation contradicted this conclusion, holding two railway engineers responsible for negligence — prompting the FIR.

This move triggered anger among railway unions, which took to the streets on Wednesday in protest against the police action.

According to Senior PI Sambhaji Katare (CST), two major unions — the National Railway Mazdoor Union (NRMU) and the Central Railway Mazdoor Sangh (CRMS) — staged demonstrations at different locations. While NRMU gathered outside the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) office, CRMS members protested at the station premises near the motorman’s cabin, allegedly locking the cabin door, disrupting services in both directions.

The protest brought local train services to a halt for nearly one hour, causing severe chaos and inconvenience to thousands of commuters.

Chain Reaction: Another Tragedy at Sandhurst Road

Amid the confusion, many stranded passengers began walking along the tracks near Sandhurst Road station. Moments later, a fast local train from CSMT to Ambarnath struck a group of them, killing two passengers and injuring several others.

The GRP has now launched a separate probe into this fresh incident, and another FIR is reportedly under consideration.

The Root of the RPF–GRP Tension

According to railway activist Sameer Zaveri, the core issue between the two forces lies in overlapping jurisdictions:

• GRP is responsible for rescuing and transporting injured passengers and handling criminal investigations,
• while RPF manages surveillance and security footage crucial to these investigations.

Zaveri notes that delays in RPF sharing CCTV footage often obstruct GRP’s investigations. Furthermore, the RPF’s command structure is controlled from Delhi, whereas GRP officers are not included in central decision-making.

The funding structure adds another layer of complexity — GRP salaries are split between the Railway Ministry and state governments, leading to what many describe as “divided accountability and inadequate attention” from both sides.

Recurring Flashpoints Over the Years

The RPF–GRP rivalry is not new. Similar incidents of friction have been reported multiple times across India:

• 2011 (Mumbai): RPF faced allegations of non-cooperation in a case of sexual assault against a woman commuter.
• 2014 (Andhra Pradesh): Both forces clashed over CCTV footage access during the investigation of software engineer Esther Anuhya’s murder.
• July 2024 (Bihar): A physical altercation between RPF and GRP personnel at Patori railway station caused panic among passengers.

The Bigger Question

The latest sequence of events — from the Mumbra FIR to the Sandhurst Road tragedy — once again exposes the lack of coordination between two forces meant to ensure rail safety. While both claim to serve the public, passengers continue to suffer the consequences of bureaucratic turf wars.

As one railway insider summed it up grimly,