A young Army aspirant of Jammu ‘thrown out of moving train’, battles for life after spinal cord injury; GRP registers FIR after one month.

||Black and White Digital News||

||Parvinder Singh June 28, 2024||

In a heart-wrenching turn of events, Tushar Thakur, a 23-year-old Army aspirant from Jammu, lies in the ICU of Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH), Ludhiana, fighting for his life after sustaining a severe spinal cord injury. The young man’s world came crashing down on May 19, when he was allegedly thrown out of a moving train by a group of youths near Ludhiana railway station. The Government Railway Police (GRP) took over a month to register an FIR, only doing so on June 24 after Tushar managed to type a statement from his hospital bed.

Dreams Deferred: From Aspiration to Desperation…

Tushar Thakur, a resident of Greater Kailash, Jammu, was on his way to Ahmedabad to appear for an interview at the Service Selection Board (SSB), a crucial step towards his dream of becoming an Army officer. This journey, however, turned into a nightmare when Tushar confronted a group of youths smoking inside the train. His father, Virander Singh, an employee with Jammu’s power department, recounts the harrowing incident:

“My son was traveling on May 19 from Jammu to Ahmedabad via the Sri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Jammu Express. He urged a group of youths not to smoke inside the train. In response, they pushed him out of the moving train. Now, his spine is damaged, and he might never walk again.”

A Delayed Pursuit of Justice…

Despite the severity of the incident, it took more than a month for the GRP Ludhiana to lodge an FIR. Tushar’s parents made relentless appeals for justice, only to face bureaucratic delays. The police refused to register the FIR based on the parents’ statements, insisting on a statement from Tushar himself. Inspector Jatinder Singh, SHO of the GRP Ludhiana police station, stated:

“We were waiting for Tushar to gain consciousness to record his statement. The DMCH doctors had declared him unfit to record a statement initially. The FIR has now been registered against unknown persons after receiving his written application. The investigation will include checking CCTV footage from Ludhiana railway station and nearby areas.”

The FIR, registered under sections 308 (attempt to commit culpable homicide) and 34 of the IPC, marks the beginning of a probe that should have started weeks earlier.

A Father’s Plea…

Virander Singh, grappling with the enormity of his son’s condition, has spent over Rs 8 lakh on Tushar’s treatment so far, with an estimated Rs 10 lakh more needed for spinal surgery. He expressed his anguish:

“My son had many dreams. He had cleared written tests and an interview for the Indian Air Force (IAF) but was more passionate about the Army. Now, those dreams are shattered. We want strict punishment for those who have made my son bedridden.”

Tushar’s father appeals to the public for support, hoping for a miracle that might allow his son to walk again.

Tushar’s Typed Testimony…

Unable to speak or sit, Tushar typed his account of the incident from his hospital bed:

“In the train, I went to the washroom where three persons, including one turbaned man, all looked my age. They were smoking cigarettes. I asked them not to smoke inside the train. When I came out, the three boys held me and pushed me out of the moving train. After falling, I don’t remember anything, but if I see those persons, I will recognize them…. I was on a ventilator for nearly a month. Today, I have pipes in my nose and neck for food and oxygen support, which limits my ability to speak, but I can type properly.”

Tushar also mentioned that his bag, containing his educational certificates, was left in the train and has been misplaced, adding to the tragedy.

Community Call to Action…

As Tushar remains bedridden with multiple fractures and a severe chest infection that needs to be treated before spinal surgery can proceed, his father pleads for financial assistance. The hope is that with community support, Tushar might one day stand on his feet and pursue his dreams once more.

Anyone wishing to help the Thakur family can reach them at 9541582754 or 9906326084.

Tushar Thakur’s story is a poignant reminder of the fragility of dreams and the bureaucratic hurdles that can exacerbate personal tragedies. As his family battles for justice and his recovery, the community’s support and swift legal action remain critical in this journey towards healing and justice.