14 February,2013 06:53 AM IST | | Sagar Rajput
When Rajesh Jani Hussain Ansari offered a soft drink to a fellow train passenger, his motive was not to ensure the latter's comfort. As the unsuspecting commuter dozed off after downing the concoction of a soothing beverage and sedatives, the 35-year-old relieved him of his valuables and disappeared. Ansari has been convicted to 11 years of imprisonment under Section 328 (causing hurt by means of poison) and 379 (theft) of Indian Penal Code.
Rajesh Jani Hussain Ansari (left) used to target passengers on long-distance trains with his blend of soft drinks and drugs, while the couple, Raja Prasad Ramchandra Pandey and Suman Pandey, were posing as passengers and doling out eatables spiked with drugs to other travellers
According to cops, the accused was arrested by Government Railway Police (GRP) on January 24, 2012 after a complaint was lodged by Jitendra Rajmangal Ram on November 24, 2011. Speaking to MiD DAY, Shivaji Dhumal from Kurla GRP said, "Ansari targeted passengers on long-distance trains with his blend of soft drinks and drugs. After the victims fell asleep, he fled with their luggage."
Meanwhile, police have also arrested a married couple after two cases were filed with Chembur and Kurla GRP. The accused, identified as Raja Prasad Ramchandra Pandey (52) and Suman Pandey (45), were apprehended in July 13, 2011. The duo had been operating since 1994, posing as passengers, and doling out eatables spiked with drugs to other travellers.
The two were arrested red-handed by GRP from Kurla Terminus. Suman was pretending to be taking care of the victim while Raja was looting him. The duo has been booked under Sections 328, 379) and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) and were convicted with five years of imprisonment.
Dhumal said, "The couple mixed the drugs into vada pav and biscuits and offered them to fellow passengers. The effect of the sedatives lasted for more than 15 hours. They sometimes sprayed anaesthetics in air-conditioned coaches and looted certain travellers. As per the inquiry so far, they got these sprays and tablets from UP, Bihar and Jaipur."u00a0
