What began as a routine train ride in a 3rd AC compartment of the Hemkunt Express (Train No. 14609) turned violent for travel vlogger Vishal Sharma. According to his viral video testimony, Sharma was allegedly assaulted by pantry staff after objecting to overpricing of essential items—₹20 for a bottle of local-brand water and ₹20 for coffee that should’ve cost ₹10.
In his post on social media platform X, Sharma recounted how his on-camera confrontation triggered retaliation. “They tried to kill me,” he claimed in the video, showing himself bloodied and shirtless after the attack.
The situation escalated late into the night after he lodged an official complaint through the Indian Railways app. Despite receiving a response that acknowledged the issue and promised action, Sharma alleged that three pantry staff returned, switched off the lights, and forcibly pulled him from his upper berth before beating him.
Evidence Goes Public, But Support Falls Short
Sharma’s 28-minute vlog, uploaded on YouTube, has garnered over 72,000 views and more than 2,000 comments within five hours. In the footage, he can be seen explaining how one staff member tried engaging him in conversation before signaling others to drag him down by his leg. Throughout the scuffle, Sharma can be heard repeating, “Maine sirf complaint kari thi”—”I just filed a complaint.”
Despite pleas from fellow passengers to stop, the assault continued. Upon disembarking at Kathua station in Jammu & Kashmir at 4:40 AM, Sharma approached the police. But, he alleged, local law enforcement refused to file an FIR. His call to the railway helpline also yielded no support.
In response to the online furor, the Railway Ministry’s official handle tagged the Railway Protection Force (RPF), urging them to investigate. The RPF Northern Railway replied with a promise to look into the issue and reach out to the complainant. However, no firm updates or concrete actions have been communicated since.
Social Outrage, Policy Questions
The incident has raised serious concerns around passenger safety and the inefficacy of railway grievance mechanisms. As viral content continues to expose vendor misconduct on trains, there’s increasing pressure on Indian Railways to establish stricter oversight of its service contractors and to better protect whistleblowers.
“This case should be a wake-up call for authorities,” said a frequent traveler on social media. “If this can happen to someone with a camera, imagine what happens to those without a voice.”
Despite a digital paper trail of complaints, video evidence, and public outrage, there’s little indication of decisive action against the erring pantry staff. For now, Sharma’s case joins a growing list of ignored grievances, while trust in the rail system’s accountability hangs in the balance.