Nashik man held for releasing snake in Mumbai-Solapur Vande Bharat Express toilet

Representative image

• Man arrested for placing snake in Vande Bharat Express toilet
• CCTV footage helped RPF identify and apprehend the accused
• Snake was rescued safely at Solapur station by a snake catcher

Did our AI summary help?

Nearly six weeks after a snake was discovered inside a washroom of the Mumbai–Solapur Vande Bharat Express, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) has taken a 37-year-old man into custody.

The accused, Jagan Arjun Bhale from Nashik district, was apprehended in Mumbra on February 12 (Thursday) following an investigation based on CCTV footage and a tip-off.

According to Central Railway officials, Bhale was traced after cameras captured him allegedly placing the reptile inside the toilet of Coach C-16 of Train No. 22225 on December 27, 2025.

He was later produced before the Railway Court at Kalyan, where authorities secured 14 days’ Magisterial Custody Remand (MCR). “The accused confessed to the offence during interrogation,” officials said, adding that a detailed probe is underway.

Snake found in coach C-16

The incident came to light when passengers noticed a rat snake in the lavatory of the air-conditioned train. The washroom was immediately shut and the control room alerted. The reptile was subsequently rescued at Solapur station with the assistance of a snake catcher.

Dr Swapnil Nila, Chief Public Relations Officer of Central Railway, said, “CCTV footage revealed an unknown person placing the snake in the toilet. A case was registered under Sections 145(B), 147, and 153 of the Railways Act, 1989, and investigation on the case commenced.” He also confirmed that the RPF team acted swiftly after receiving information from an informer.

Charges under Railways Act

Officials registered offences under relevant provisions of the Railways Act, 1989. The accused was tracked after investigators reviewed surveillance footage, which allegedly showed him boarding the train at Thane before releasing the snake inside the toilet compartment.

Train safety features

The Mumbai-Solapur Vande Bharat service is equipped with multiple safety systems, including KAVACH, centrally controlled automatic plug doors, CCTV cameras in every coach, improved fire detection and suppression mechanisms, and a coach condition monitoring system with remote oversight. The train also offers emergency alarm push buttons, driver-guard communication with voice recording, and enhanced ride comfort features for passengers.