MUMBAI: A dispute over seats in the first-class ladies’ coach of a Kalyan-CSMT fast local train escalated into a scuffle after a woman allegedly used pepper spray on fellow passengers during the morning rush hour on Thursday, triggering panic inside the compartment.The incident occurred on the 8.33 am 15-coach Central Railway fast local from Kalyan to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT). According to railway officials, four women passengers boarded the first-class ladies’ coach at Dombivli before the train reached Kalyan and occupied seats.When the train arrived at Kalyan, women commuters waiting in queues on the platform boarded the coach expecting to find seats on the train originating from the station. Finding the seats already occupied led to an argument between the Kalyan and Dombivli groups of passengers.The verbal exchange soon escalated into a physical altercation. During the scuffle, one of the women from the Dombivli group allegedly took out a pepper spray canister from her handbag and sprayed it towards the women who boarded at Kalyan. The spray caused panic among passengers in the coach, although no serious injuries were reported.Despite the commotion, the train continued its journey towards CSMT. Passengers contacted the railway security helpline 1512 to report the incident. Railway police personnel reached the platform after receiving the alert, but the train had already departed from Kalyan.After the train reached CSMT, teams from the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and the Govt Railway Police (GRP) attended to the coach and detained members of both groups for inquiry. Both sides initially lodged complaints against each other, alleging assault during the dispute.However, after discussions at the police station, the women agreed to resolve the matter amicably and withdrew their complaints. The incident has been recorded at the CSMT GRP station. Since both parties chose not to pursue legal action, no case has been registered.Lata Argade of Upnagariya Pravasi Maha Sangh said pepper spray should only be used in genuine emergencies, making its use in this dispute unjustified. While passengers with valid tickets cannot be forced to vacate seats, those travelling end-to-end could show consideration and give tired commuters a seat.
