Youth booked for begging inside metro train

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: A 20-year-old youth with vision and hearing impairment was booked by the Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) officials after he was caught begging inside the metro train.

The youth was identified as Mallikarjuna, a native of Koppal. A fine of Rs 500 was imposed on him for begging inside the metro premises.

It was learnt that Mallikarjuna had purchased a one-day metro card worth Rs 150 at Yeshwanthpur Metro Station and added Rs 50 to it.

Later he was found begging while speaking in Kannada and English during his travel in the train, feigning as a deaf-mute person seeking financial assistance.

A vigilant passenger brought the matter to one of the metro security personnel, prompting alerts across all the stations. An hour later, at Yeshwantpur station, Mallikarjuna attempted to return the card but was held by the staff.

Upon inspection, he was found to be having Rs 960 in cash in his possession. Subsequently, BMRCL staff escorted him to Malleswaram KC General Hospital for verification, which confirmed his status as deaf and mute.

The BMRCL registered a case against Mallikarjuna under Section 59 of the Metro Act, citing disruption to passengers.