In the 2023 Jaipur-Mumbai Express shooting case, a woman passenger testifies that RPF constable Chetan Singh ordered her to chant the Hindu slogan at gunpoint
MUMBAI/NEW DELHI — A Muslim woman passenger has testified before the court in the Jaipur-Mumbai Express shooting case, claiming that Chetan Singh, a constable of the Railway Protection Force (RPF), pointed a gun at her and forced her to chant a Hindu religious slogan.
The incident dates back to July 2023 when Singh opened fire inside the moving train, killing his senior officer and three Muslim passengers. The massacre shocked the nation and sparked debates on the growing Islamophobia in the country.
The woman told the court, “I was going towards the washroom when I saw him holding a gun. He looked straight at me, pointed the gun and said, ‘If you want to live in this country, say Jai Mata Di.’”
She added, “I spoke softly out of fear, but he ordered me to say it loudly. He threatened to shoot me if I refused. I was targeted only because I was wearing a burqa.”
The testimony was recorded before Additional Sessions Judge YB Pathan at Dindoshi Sessions Court in suburban Mumbai, with Singh appearing via video conference from jail.
During cross-examination by defence counsel Jaywant Patil, the witness denied giving false testimony and said she believed she was targeted because she was wearing a burqa. She also clarified that she had not identified Singh from media photographs and admitted she could not distinguish the specific rifle used from other rifles present.
Her testimony has once again brought attention to the deep-rooted religious hatred faced by Indian Muslims, even in public spaces meant to be safe. Legal experts and community leaders have said the statement exposes the hate-driven mindset behind the killings.
“This shows that the attack was not random. It was driven by religious hatred,” said advocate Shahnawaz Khan, who is closely monitoring the case. “The fact that a woman in a burqa was singled out at gunpoint is horrifying.”
Community activist Afsana Begum commented, “Muslims are living in fear. When even trains become unsafe, where should we go? The authorities must acknowledge that hate against Muslims is growing unchecked.”
The court is currently recording the statements of eyewitnesses and officials. Investigating agencies are also probing Singh’s mental health and behaviour to understand the reasons behind the killings.
An investigating officer, speaking anonymously, said, “We are collecting every detail from the scene and witness accounts. The woman’s statement will be a key part of our case.”
The next hearing will include testimonies from more witnesses, and the entire nation is watching to see how the judiciary addresses what many see as a hate crime.
The woman’s testimony has also raised questions about the safety of Muslim passengers on Indian trains. Muslim groups have urged the government to act against growing religious hatred within security forces and ensure that such incidents never happen again.
“The government must make sure Muslims feel safe in public spaces,” said social worker Imran Shaikh. “If hate enters our security system, no one will be safe.”
As the hearing continues, many see this case as a test of India’s commitment to justice and equality for all its citizens, especially its Muslim minority who have long complained of discrimination and hate-driven violence.
