In a recent ruling, the Madhya Pradesh High Court, Jabalpur Bench, upheld a criminal case against a lawyer accused of masquerading as a Travelling Ticket Examiner (TTE) and extorting money from commuters at Bhopal railway station.
Justice Anuradha Shukla, presiding over the case, emphasized that the intricacies of the matter demanded a thorough trial to ascertain the truth.
The alleged incident unfolded on June 21, 2021, triggering complaints from passengers at Bhopal railway station’s platform 2. An individual, purporting to be a TTE, allegedly solicited money from unsuspecting travelers.
Upon confrontation by railway authorities, the accused, identifying himself as Rohit Kumar Mishra from Uttar Pradesh, brandished an Excess Fare Ticket (EFT) Book, triggering further suspicion. Subsequent inquiries led to his detention and the lodging of an FIR on June 23, 2021.
Challenging the FIR, the accused, represented by Advocate Anuvaad Shrivastava, refuted all allegations, citing mental distress exacerbated by the pandemic and clarifying that his attire, a black advocate’s coat, lacked any TTE insignia.
In response, the prosecution presented CCTV evidence purportedly showing Mishra interacting with passengers, soliciting tickets.
Despite the defense’s arguments, the High Court underscored the importance of trial proceedings in resolving contested facts. It emphasized that the seized book, although not an EFT Book, bore markings suggestive of railway affiliation, casting doubt on the accused’s innocence.
Dismissal of the petitioner’s plea marked the culmination of the legal battle, with Advocate Vineeta Sharma representing the State in the proceedings.
The verdict not only underscores the gravity of impersonation but also highlights the significance of due process in dispensing justice.
