Mumbai: ‘No Frisking Of Traders’ Bags Without Valid Reason At Railway Stations,’ Says GRP Chief M Rakesh Kalasagar

Mumbai, October 21, 2026 - Traders traveling through Mumbai's railway stations will no longer have their bags searched without a valid reason, according to Government Railway Police (GRP) Commissioner M Rakesh Kalasagar. The commissioner made this announcement at a program organized by the Bharat Merchants. The assurance was given following concerns raised by textile traders about frequent bag checks and allegations of extortion during inspections at stations handling Mail and Express trains.

Textile traders' representative Manoj Jalan, in his opening remarks, expressed that merchants were being repeatedly asked to open their bags under the guise of security checks, and some officials were reportedly demanding money when cash was discovered. He also requested the installation of baggage scanners at these stations to minimize manual inspections.

In response to these concerns, Kalasagar stated that the GRP had approached the Railways to procure scanners. He further explained that inspections, when necessary, are now conducted in front of CCTV cameras for transparency. With approximately 4,500 personnel, the GRP's security department is specifically assigned to oversee 37 Mail and Express trains. Security is also overseen by around 8,000 CCTV cameras in cooperation with the Railway Protection Force (RPF).

Kalasagar invited traders and passengers facing any issues to reach out directly to the GRP or call its helpline at 1512. He also mentioned that he reviews complaints received through this helpline. Traders emphasized the need for improved security practices, while acknowledging that the Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor is a crucial economic hub, contributing significantly to the country's textile and jewelry trade.