RPF cracks Padatik Express theft, recovers ₹16.41 lakh in gold and cash
Synopsis
A passenger's Rail Madad complaint set off a multi-district chase that ended with the Padatik Express thief caught at his father-in-law's village home and a jeweller arrested for buying the stolen gold — all within days, and ₹16.41 lakh in valuables largely recovered.
Key Takeaways
The RPF Eastern Railway and local police recovered valuables worth ₹16.41 lakh stolen from the Padatik Express (12378 Dn) on 15 September 2026 .
Stolen items included gold ornaments , raw gold , silver coins , a mobile phone , and ₹1,41,000 in cash.
The prime accused was arrested at Nageshwar Bag Village, Rajmahal ; a local jeweller who bought stolen gold for ₹1,41,500 was also apprehended.
CCTV footage from Kotalpukur station provided the key breakthrough, showing the accused boarding the S-1 coach from the off-side.
A formal case was registered on 20 September 2026 under Sections 305(C), 317(2), and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) .
The Railway Protection Force (RPF) of Eastern Railway (ER), working in close coordination with local police, has solved a high-value theft from the reserved S-1 coach of the New Alipurduar–Sealdah Padatik Express (12378 Dn), recovering gold ornaments, silver coins, raw gold, and cash collectively valued at approximately ₹16.41 lakh. Both the prime accused and the receiver of stolen goods have been apprehended, officials confirmed on 21 September 2026.
How the Theft Unfolded
The incident came to light after an affected passenger filed a complaint on the Rail Madad portal, reporting that valuables were stolen and snatched from the S-1 coach while the train was halted at Kotalpukur station on 15 September 2026. The stolen items included gold ornaments, raw gold, silver coins, and a mobile phone, with the aggregate estimated value placed at ₹16.41 lakh.
Joint Investigation and CCTV Breakthrough
Following the complaint, authorities constituted a specialised joint team comprising personnel from RPF Post Pakur, RPF Post Barharwa, and CIB Burdwan, operating in tandem with local police. A detailed review of CCTV footage from Kotalpukur station revealed a suspicious individual boarding the coach from the off-side. Combining surveillance evidence with ground-level intelligence, the team successfully identified the suspect.
'Acting on specific intelligence and with the assistance of the Rajmahal Police Station, the joint team conducted a targeted raid at the residence of the suspect's father-in-law at Nageshwar Bag Village in Rajmahal. The team apprehended the prime accused there. Police recovered a major portion of the stolen property from a pink jewellery bag in his possession. The recovered items included broken gold bracelets, gold bangles, a necklace, a ring, a chain with a pendant, a child's armlet, a deity's crown, raw gold, silver coins and ₹1,41,000 in cash,' a senior official said.
Receiver Nabbed at Lalu Market Jewellery Shop
During interrogation, the prime accused disclosed that he had sold two gold chains and two pairs of gold earrings to a local jeweller for ₹1,41,500. The joint team then raided a jewellery shop at Lalu Market, Rajmahal, leading to the arrest of the receiver and the recovery of the remaining stolen gold articles.
Formal Case Registered Under BNS
The Government Railway Police Station Barharwa formally registered a case on 20 September 2026 under Sections 305(C), 317(2), and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). A senior Eastern Railway official noted that the case underscored the value of prompt passenger reporting, technology-driven surveillance, and inter-agency coordination. 'ER remains committed to strengthening passenger safety and security through technology-enabled surveillance, prompt response mechanisms and coordinated enforcement efforts,' the official added.
Point of View
However, is a persistent vulnerability: open off-side boarding at intermediate halts on overnight expresses. Technology caught the thief this time; the structural gap that enabled him remains unaddressed.
NationPress
22 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was stolen from the Padatik Express and what is the total value?
Gold ornaments, raw gold, silver coins, a mobile phone, and cash were stolen from the S-1 reserved coach of the New Alipurduar–Sealdah Padatik Express on 15 September 2026. The total estimated value of the stolen items is approximately ₹16.41 lakh.
How did the RPF identify and arrest the accused?
The joint RPF-police team reviewed CCTV footage from Kotalpukur station, which showed a suspicious person boarding the coach from the off-side. Combining this with ground intelligence, they traced the accused to his father-in-law's residence at Nageshwar Bag Village in Rajmahal and arrested him there.
Was all the stolen property recovered?
A major portion of the valuables was recovered from the prime accused, including broken gold bracelets, bangles, a necklace, a ring, and ₹1,41,000 in cash. The remaining stolen gold — two chains and two pairs of earrings — was recovered from a jeweller at Lalu Market, Rajmahal, who had purchased them for ₹1,41,500.
What charges have been filed in the Padatik Express theft case?
The Government Railway Police Station Barharwa registered a formal case on 20 September 2026 under Sections 305(C), 317(2), and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against the accused.
What role did the Rail Madad portal play in cracking the case?
The entire investigation was triggered by the victim's complaint filed through the Rail Madad portal. Eastern Railway officials noted that prompt passenger reporting via Rail Madad, combined with CCTV surveillance and inter-agency coordination, was central to the case being solved quickly.
