ALAPPUZHA: A youth was arrested by the Railway Police for travelling on a train wearing a Sub-Inspector’s (SI) uniform. The arrested individual has been identified as Akhilesh (30), a native of Nedumangad in Thiruvananthapuram. The incident occurred early Saturday morning on the Chennai–Guruvayur Express. Akhilesh was caught after the Railway Police officials, who were conducting inspections on the train at Kayamkulam station, became suspicious of him.

When officers saw Akhilesh wearing the SI’s uniform, cap, and shoulder insignia, they saluted him. However, noticing irregularities in the way Akhilesh returned the salute, they grew suspicious. Upon questioning, Akhilesh claimed he was an SI from the Irinjalakuda Police Station in Thrissur and that he was travelling there on duty.

The officers immediately contacted the station to verify, only to learn that no such officer existed. When the train reached Alappuzha station, Akhilesh admitted that he was not an SI. He revealed that he was actually travelling to Thrissur to attend a PSC exam. He also confessed that he had a deep desire to join the police force, but since that had not happened, he resorted to wearing the uniform.

Akhilesh, the son of an ex-serviceman, further stated that he often wore the SI uniform inside his house, but this was the first time he had worn it in public. A case was registered against him for misusing the official police uniform and insignia, after which he was released on station bail.