Model Antara Banerjee was detained after allegedly attacking an RPF (Railway Protection Force) employee while travelling on the Aravali Express. She was reportedly travelling to Surat for a shoot and had a sleeper-class ticket, but was allegedly sitting in a reserved AC coach.
Dispute began over reserved seat
According to the police, the incident took place on the night of August 12 between Borivali and Dahanu stations, around 9:30 PM to 10:50 PM. When another passenger asked Antara to vacate the reserved seat, she allegedly refused. The passenger then informed ticket collector Harikesh Tripathi and the RPF about the matter.
Actress Antara Banerjee.
Attacked RPF officer with a blade, stripped clothes
RPF Assistant Sub-Inspector Yaminikant Mishra stated in the complaint that he and Constable Rajesh Kumar had arrived to resolve the dispute. It is alleged that Antara Banerjee misbehaved with the officers and became violent.
After this, she brandished a razor blade in her hand and injured herself as well as ASI Mishra. During this, she also damaged the officer’s uniform and mobile phone.
Tried to break the window glass, deboarded at Dahanu
The situation reportedly escalated after passengers became alarmed. RPF personnel closed the doors of the AC coach, while Antara allegedly tried to break the window glass to get out of the train. The commotion continued for more than an hour, following which she was deboarded at Dahanu Railway Station and handed over to the Government Railway Police (GRP).
Released on bail after police notice
The following morning, Borivali GRP took Antara into custody. According to Borivali GRP Inspector Kunda Gawade, eyewitnesses suggested that she may have been under mental stress after failing to get an AC coach ticket. During questioning, Antara reportedly refused to contact her lawyer or family and insisted that she be arrested.
On August 13, police registered an FIR under sections related to endangering safety, assaulting a government employee and misbehaviour. After the FIR was registered, she reportedly calmed down and was later released on bail after being served a notice under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita.
