GRP Or RPF: Who Maintains Law And Order In Indian Railways?

Indian Railways is one the most used public transport in India. Majority of people prefer to travel through trains due to easy accessibility and cheap prices. If you are a frequent traveller, you must have witnessed those tiresome fights over berths and other issues inside trains. Several videos often go viral, in which passengers are seen fighting due to seating issues. In such a situation, people are confused about where to lodge a complaint for these problems. According to the Indian constitution, the citizens of India can lodge the complaint at any police station. Not every police department can investigate the cases related to railways. The Government Railway Police (GRP) and Railway Protection Force (RPF) are the two law protecting bodies which are responsible for taking action against the accused in Indian Railways. Both have different rights and duties.

According to the law, whichever police force reaches there first after receiving initial information, has to take action. The jurisdiction of GRP is different from that of RPF.

RPF has been formed for the protection of property of Indian Railways. Its work includes preventing illegal occupation of railway property and investigating matters related to it. RPF is responsible for dealing with cases related to unauthorised entry of passengers in women authorised railway coaches, travel on railway roof, unauthorised vending, and touting. As per the law, the power of arresting the accused lies in the hands of GRP. At present, 12 battalions of GRP are working in India.

GRP is the police force of Indian Railways. GRP patrols the railway area and ensures security. Its jurisdiction includes providing security to passengers and investigating crimes that are committed in trains. Maintaining law in trains, controlling overcrowding, regulating vehicular traffic within the station premises, and arresting criminals comes under the duties of GRP. In case of murder or any such serious crime, the GRP hands over the case to the local police. Only GRP has the right to arrest anyone in the railway premises or in a moving train. If the RPF discovers the fight, then they have to hand over the people involved or the accused to the GRP at the next station if the train is moving. Generally, GRP has a police station at every major railway station, whereas RPF has only a security post or duty room.