Spat between judge and TTE holds up train

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

A verbal duel between a district judge and a Travelling Ticket Examiner (TTE) on board the Karaikal - Ernakulam Express on Friday night led to its detention at Tiruchi Junction for an hour after the railway union members came in support of their staff.

The judge was travelling to Coimbatore from Karaikal in the air-conditioned coach where the quarrel broke out after the train left Thanjavur. Railway sources said the TTE had asked for identity card proof from the judge while checking passengers travelling on board the AC coach.

A wordy quarrel is said to have broken out between the TTE and the judge and the former reportedly conveyed the information to his colleagues at Tiruchi. A group of railway union members assembled at Tiruchi Junction.

As the train arrived at Tiruchi, the union members demanded necessary action and protection for TTEs. They also reportedly pulled the alarm chain leading to the detention of the train prompting the intervention of the Railway Police and the Tiruchi City Police personnel who held talks with the union members.

The sources said the judge alighted at Tiruchi and left the station. The express train left for Ernakulam from here after a one hour delay. Railway Police sources said no complaint had been received and no case booked till now.