Fencing champion dies after allegedly thrown off train

Hoshiyar Singh

Hoshiyar Singh died after allegedly pushed off a train by railway police in Uttar Pradesh. He had won bronze in the Under-17 Championship in 2005.

The incident took place when Hoshiyar was returning with his family to his hometown Kasanj from Mathura. Singh seated his mother and wife in the women’s coach before boarding the general coach.

Singh refused to pay a fine of Rs. 200 to the railway police for entering the women’s coach, Singh’s family alleged. They added that the policemen attacked him before throwing him off the train.

"They pushed my husband for money. He was in the ladies coach and not talking to me. Police came and asked him what he was doing in the ladies coach. I begged them to let him talk to me. They pushed him and he got stuck. I hope they are punished," said his wife.

Singh’s family now wants a complaint registered against the police for their actions. The police however dismiss all allegations made by the family.

"He was on his way to Mathura. He had got off to drink water and while getting back up he slipped and got stuck... but his family alleges pulled down by some people... his body has been sent for postmortem," said a police officer.

This incident brings back memories of volleyball player Arunima Singh, who lost her leg when she was thrown off a moving train by railway police in 2011.