108. Encounter with train robbers.

Thousand Full Moon: Laxman Patwardhan (81+)
Contributed by: Rohini

Shri. Laxman Ptwardhan writes about an unforgettable incidence:

He was a Sr. Instructor in the railway training center in Bhusaval then. He was returning from a business trip from Mumbai. The Pathankot Express left V.T. Station at 10:30PM.

In his first class compartment he got ready for bed by wearing his lungi and kept his travel clothes in a small bag that also served as his pillow. He woke up at round 3:30 in the middle of the night and realized that his bag had disappeared! To try and locate the bag he came out of his compartment and went towards the rest room. To his surprise he found his bag on the floor of the rest room with all the belongings scattered around. He gathered his belongings and was returning to his compartment when he ran in to a man who looked as though he did not belong there. “Who are you and what are you doing here? This is first class, show me your ticket” Shri. Patwardhan questioned the man who instantly said, “Hajoor, I am not a thief, I did not steal your bag. Shri. Patwardhan was taken aback and physically wrestled with him and restrained him. Hearing the commotion his co-travelers gathered around and fortunately at the next station, Chalis-gaon a police officer came on board. On hearing the story he delivered a stinging slap on the thief’s face and asked his hawaldar to take this person to the lock-up.  

Mr. Patwardhan and the co-passengers all gathered in his compartment and the Police officer told them that there is a gang of seasoned thieves on the Pathankot Express rout. They identify prospective ‘targets’ that are robbed on the V.T.-Kalyan, Kalyan-Chalis-gaon, Chalis-gaon-Bhusaval stretches. At that point the passenger sitting on the top berth spoke-up. He said that he probably was the target that night as he was going to Jalgaon with a cash of Rs. 8000 to distribute the salaries to the S.T. workers. His bag was identical to to Mr. Patwardhan's bag! That is why it had been stolen and not finding any money was discarded in the bath room.

Mr. Patwardhan says, "Today even after so many years when I think of that night I get restless. What if the thief had a weapon on him? What would have happened to me then? It was only by God’s grace that no harm came to me!"