GRP Personnel Allegedly Search Passengers At Spots Without CCTV Despite Railway Police Guidelines

Government Railway Police (GRP) officers in Mumbai are allegedly disregarding guidelines that mandate searches only in CCTV-monitored areas and under the supervision of a senior officer, according to an investigation by FPJ. At several stations, including Borivli, Mumbai Central, and Bandra, passengers have been directed to GRP rooms, staircases, and other locations without CCTV coverage. At Borivali, three-four baggage-checking points lack effective CCTV surveillance.

The issue has arisen amid allegations that GRP personnel demand money and collaborate with drug networks. Four personnel were recently suspended for these alleged offenses. The guidelines stipulate that inspections must be recorded, personnel wear nameplates, and searches can only take place under CCTV monitoring. CCTV-free rooms cannot be used; passengers should be taken to a police station or police post instead.

Kamalkumar Soni, a resident of Rajasthan, claims he was extorted Rs30,000 in 2025 after GRP officers found cash and gold on him. He stated that the same occurred at Borivali and Bandra, where GRP officers searched his bag without CCTV or recording the incident. At Mumbai Central, Samir Zaveri, a railway passenger activist, pointed out that a crime detection room still lacks CCTV coverage. At CSMT, two areas, including a second-floor room and a missing-person area, also lack cameras.

Railway passenger activist Samir Zaveri emphasized the need for prominent displays of the guidelines and their strict compliance. Rakesh Kalasagar, the Commissioner of Mumbai Railway Police, acknowledged issuing clear guidelines and an SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) on this matter. However, Zaveri urged for the guidelines to be displayed prominently and for their compliance to be ensured.

Siddhesh Desai, vice-president of Mumbai Rail Pravasi Sanghtana, suggested the use of body-worn cameras, similar to those used by the UK police, to strengthen the system.