Passengers travelling overnight on a mainline electric multiple unit train between Ratlam and Ujjain were shaken after several members of a family from Dahod were allegedly assaulted inside a moving coach, prompting a police inquiry and heightened scrutiny of passenger safety on short-haul rail services.The incident unfolded on the intervening night of Sunday and Monday when the family, returning from a visit, boarded the MEMU service that connects western parts of Madhya Pradesh with neighbouring regions. According to complaints recorded by authorities, the confrontation began after women members of the family objected to what they described as inappropriate behaviour by a group of men travelling in the same coach. Verbal exchanges escalated quickly, culminating in a physical scuffle that left multiple family members injured.
Police officials familiar with the complaint said the altercation occurred while the train was in motion, limiting the immediate ability of railway staff to intervene. Fellow passengers raised an alarm, and the train halted briefly at a scheduled stop, where railway protection personnel were informed. The family later sought medical attention and filed a formal complaint outlining allegations of sexual harassment followed by assault.
Investigators have registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita dealing with assault, criminal intimidation and outraging the modesty of women. Statements have been recorded from the complainants, co-passengers and train staff, while closed-circuit television footage from the coach and platforms at intermediate stations is being reviewed to establish the sequence of events and identify those involved. Police have said notices will be issued to suspects once identities are confirmed.
Railway officials acknowledged the incident and said internal reports had been sought from on-duty staff. A senior official said MEMU services, which cater largely to daily commuters and short-distance travellers, often face challenges linked to overcrowding and limited on-board security, particularly during late hours. He added that coordination with the Railway Protection Force and Government Railway Police was being strengthened on vulnerable routes.
Members of the affected family said the incident had left them traumatised and questioned the adequacy of safety measures for women travelling at night. One family elder alleged that appeals to fellow passengers initially failed to de-escalate the situation, while another relative said the absence of a dedicated security presence in the coach emboldened the attackers. They have demanded swift arrests and strict action to deter similar behaviour.
Community leaders in the region urged calm and cautioned against allowing the episode to be framed along communal lines. They stressed that the focus should remain on accountability for alleged crimes and on ensuring safe public transport for all passengers. Local civil society groups echoed the call, urging authorities to avoid speculation until the investigation concludes.
The episode has renewed attention on safety protocols aboard suburban and intercity MEMU trains, which form a critical link for workers, students and families across central and western India. Unlike long-distance express services, these trains typically lack on-board ticket examiners in every coach and do not have continuous security patrols, relying instead on periodic checks at stations. Passenger advocacy groups have long argued that this gap exposes travellers, especially women, to harassment and violence.
Officials pointed to existing measures such as helpline numbers, emergency chains and the railways’ security app, but conceded that awareness and response times vary. Following the incident, authorities said additional late-night patrols and random checks were being planned on the Ratlam–Ujjain stretch, alongside coordination with local police stations near halts.