Sadhu gets two years for sabotaging tracks on Kacheguda route
HYDERABAD: A railway court has sentenced a 42-year-old ‘sadhu’ from Haridwar to two years’ imprisonment for deliberately placing stones on tracks along the busy Kacheguda route, an act that South Central Railway (SCR) officials said could have led to a major tragedy.
The accused, Ramdas, was booked under Sections 153, 174C and 147 of the Railways Act for wilful acts endangering passenger safety, obstruction of railway operations and trespassing. In its order, the court observed that such acts posed a serious threat to human life and railway property and warranted stern action.
Officials of the Railway Protection Force (RPF) said this was the highest jail term awarded in SCR for offences involving obstruction of rail tracks. In most similar cases, courts impose a maximum sentence of three months.
As reported by TOI, the offence came to light on May 8, 2025, when trackmen alerted the RPF about stones and elastic rail clips placed at junction points between Kacheguda and Budvel stations. They suspected deliberate sabotage.
CCTV footage led to arrest
Treating the alert as critical, the RPF formed a special team and inspected the affected locations. Officials examined CCTV footage from nearby areas, which showed the accused loitering near the junction points.
“Based on the footage and other evidence, we tracked him down and arrested him,” said Gorakhnath Mawl, RPF inspector, Kacheguda.
Habitual offender, motive unclear
Investigators found that Ramdas had taken to a religious life after losing his livelihood as an electrician during the Covid pandemic. He allegedly travelled across states by train and indulged in similar acts.
The RPF said he had committed comparable offences in Tamil Nadu. “During interrogation, we attempted to ascertain his motive, but he refused to offer any explanation,” Mawl said.
“What surprised us was the methodical manner in which the offence was carried out. He placed 20 stones in a row at five different locations along the Kacheguda-Budvel section,” he added.
Officials initially suspected that the accused might be mentally unsound. “Further questioning ruled that out. He responded coherently and was fully aware of his actions,” Mawl said.
