Two canoodling TTEs suspended

Mysuru/Hubballi: After complaints against two travelling ticket examiners (TTEs) on Bengaluru-Hubballi Fast Passenger train, the South Western Railway on Sunday ordered a high-level probe and suspended them.
“Rakesh Mehra and Aravind Gupta have been suspended for dereliction of duty. Divisional commercial manager Halappa will probe the case and submit a report soon.We may question some passengers also,” said Anil Kumar, senior divisional commercial manager, Mysuru division. He said the TTEs will be questioned on Monday.
TOI on Sunday reported that Mehra and Gupta created a ruckus and occupied four berths with girlfriends which were meant for RAC passengers. Sources said chief commercial manager Vishal Agarwal has asked officials in Hubli division to collect details of Saturday’s incident and submit a report.
On Saturday, the TTEs were caught on camera disturbing other passengers by speaking loudly, laughing and kissing their girlfriends. A group of 30-40 angry passengers assaulted Mehra and Gupta at the Hubballi station.
“We have collected the video clips from railway police and sought a report from chief ticket inspector S Siddaiah. We will send the evidence to the senior divisional manager in Mysuru. The TTEs belong to Mysuru division but are stationed in Bengaluru,” a railway official said.
To avoid such cases, surprise checks will be conducted on TTEs , Anil Kumar said.