Chaos erupted at Ranchi Railway Station on Saturday evening when a young man scaled the roof of the stationary Swarn Jayanti Express and deliberately grasped a 25,000-volt overhead high-tension wire. The shocking incident triggered an immediate blaze on his body, leaving him severely burned and fighting for life. Eyewitnesses described a scene of pandemonium as railway staff and security personnel rushed to his aid.
The dramatic event unfolded amid heightened security at the station. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had just inaugurated the weekly Anand Vihar Terminal-Purulia Express via video conferencing from Platform 1. Senior railway officials and a large crowd were present for the ceremony. Suddenly, the youth leaped onto the moving train on Platform 2, positioning himself directly under the deadly power line.
As the train inched forward, he reached out and touched the live wire. A massive spark exploded, followed by flames engulfing his body. He collapsed on the train roof, writhing in agony. Rapid action by Railway Protection Force (RPF), Government Railway Police (GRP), and other staff enabled a daring rooftop rescue. The critically injured man was first rushed to the railway hospital before being transferred to the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) for advanced treatment.
Investigations revealed this was a deliberate suicide attempt. The man had jumped from an overbridge onto the train. Railway authorities have launched a probe, but his identity, hometown, and motives remain unknown. The incident has raised serious questions about mental health support and platform surveillance at major stations. Doctors report his condition as critical, with extensive burns covering large parts of his body. The event disrupted operations briefly, underscoring the vulnerabilities even in high-security environments.