NEW DELHI — A 20-year-old madrasa student from Bihar’s Gopalganj district has gone missing after allegedly being attacked while travelling on the Purvanchal Express on his way home for Eid Al-Adha on Thursday.
Faizan Ahmad Shah, a student at Jamia Amjadiya Ghosi Madrasa in Uttar Pradesh’s Mau district, boarded the train on Monday to return to his hometown ahead of the festival. After boarding, his family members reportedly received a disturbing message from him, media reports said on Tuesday.
Faizan’s uncle, Safiullah, said the family was shocked after the youth texted his father, claiming violence had broken out inside the train.
“Faizan messaged his father saying, ‘Abbu, I’m sending this secretly. A fight has started here. They are beating everyone,’” Safiullah was quoted as saying.
The message, received around 7:06 a.m., was the last contact the family had with him.
Soon after, repeated phone calls from family members went unanswered. Initially, the phone showed it was “out of network coverage area” before eventually switching off completely.
“We kept trying to contact him, but his phone stopped responding. Since that message, we have no idea where he is,” Safiullah said.
Describing Faizan as a quiet and well-behaved boy, the family said he had no disputes or enmity with anyone.
“He was a very decent child. He never fought with anyone,” his uncle added.
A missing complaint has now been registered at Phulwaria Police Station in Gopalganj district, and police have started investigations.
According to the family, investigators reviewed CCTV footage in which Faizan was reportedly seen standing calmly at a railway station, though his whereabouts after that remain unknown.
“Police told us they found footage of him at the station, but the investigation is continuing,” Safiullah said.
Meanwhile, Faizan’s father, Imteyaz, remains devastated as the family desperately waits for any information.
“He is their only son. His father has been crying continuously, and the entire family is shattered,” Safiullah added.
As the investigation continues, Faizan’s family says they are holding on to hope and waiting for any information that could lead them to him.
