RPF Uncovers Extortion Gang Targeting Train Passengers in Jabalpur
Jabalpur News: RPF Takes Action Against Extortionists
Travelers on trains should be cautious if approached for money or threatened. The Railway Protection Force (RPF) has exposed a gang operating under the guise of blessings at the Jabalpur station of the West Central Railway. Following reports of disturbances on the Valsad-Puri Express, RPF apprehended three individuals posing as hijras. The situation escalated on Friday when passengers on train number 22909 faced aggressive demands for money in the general coach.
Eyewitnesses reported that these individuals were soliciting money and resorting to abusive language and curses when refused. Passengers promptly alerted the RPF, leading to the formation of a special team under the leadership of post in-charge Rajiv Kharab. Sub-Inspector Praveen Kumar and Constable Harikesh Dubey set up a trap outside the station. Upon noticing the RPF personnel, the suspects attempted to flee but were swiftly surrounded and captured.
Network Spanning from Andhra Pradesh to Jabalpur
The identities of the arrested individuals were surprising. Their connections traced back to South India. B. Neelima, 43, originally from Guntur (Andhra Pradesh), along with Kali and Babli from the Noorani Masjid area of Itarsi, were running this network. During interrogation, it was revealed that their leader, Reshma Khan, orchestrated this entire syndicate, instilling fear on trains between Katni, Jabalpur, and Itarsi.
Intimidation and Curses as Tactics
This gang primarily targeted general and sleeper coaches. Their approach was cunning, starting with polite requests for money, escalating to harassment if passengers declined. Many travelers, fearing curses and social embarrassment, would quietly hand over cash. RPF's investigation uncovered that these individuals would vanish for a few days during operations and return once the situation calmed down.
On November 14, 2025, RPF arrested two fake hijras on the Katni-Jabalpur route. Omkar Chaudhary and Dharmendra Kol turned to this path due to unemployment, disguising themselves as hijras to extort money from passengers. They used saris, makeup, and specific speech patterns to convince others of their authenticity, threatening and mistreating those who refused to pay, creating an atmosphere of fear. Following numerous complaints from Sihora station, RPF monitored the situation and apprehended both inside the train. Investigations revealed that upon reaching the station, they would change clothes to blend in with regular passengers to avoid suspicion.
On August 29, the railway police also detained two suspicious hijras. Shocking revelations emerged during questioning, identifying them as brothers Umesh Kumar Dahayat and Rajneesh Kumar Dahayat, originally from Panna district but residing in a rented house in Narsinghpur. For the past six months, they had been impersonating hijras on the Satna-Itarsi rail line, engaging in illegal extortion. When denied money, they resorted to rude behavior and even physical violence. They disclosed that their so-called guru, Kajal, was a hijra to whom they paid 500 rupees daily, along with another accomplice named Ganga. Investigations further revealed that to evade RPF, they wore men's clothing under their salwar suits and would quickly change in bathrooms during checks to appear as ordinary travelers.
The RPF has filed serious charges against the arrested individuals under the Railway Act. The department has urged passengers to report any instances of illegal extortion or harassment during their journeys without fear. Currently, police are conducting raids in search of Reshma Khan and other members of the gang.