Mumbai: A 31-year-old Thane-based model-actor Antara Banerjee, who was on her way to Surat on the Bandra-Ganganagar Aravali Express to shoot for a web series, allegedly undressed herself and attacked a ticket checker and RPF personnel with a razor blade on the night of Aug 12. Banerjee was deboarded from the train when it arrived at Dahanu railway station and handed to railway cops. Borivli railway police took her into custody the next morning and lodged a case against her for endangering lives and assault, and also injuring herself during the incident.The disturbance began when a passenger asked Banerjee, who was occupying a reserved seat, to move. After she refused, the passenger called the RPF and the ticket collector. Banerjee allegedly responded aggressively and verbally abused those who intervened.Borivli GRP inspector Kunda Gavade said, “Witnesses stated that Banerjee seemed depressed as she could not get a ticket for the AC coach and had entered the compartment with a sleeper class ticket.”When authorities suggested she contact relatives or legal counsel, she refused to cooperate and insisted on being arrested. The episode lasted for over an hour and left passengers shaken. “She calmed down after the FIR was registered,” Gavade said. GRP senior inspector Pandrinath Kande said Banerjee was arrested on charges of endangering safety, causing grievous harm to public servants, assault and intentional insult, but was released on bail. The FIR was filed on Aug 13. TOI is in possession of the FIR copy. Banerjee did not respond to calls and messages on Saturday. Later, it was found that the number she had given to the cops was incorrect.The incident unfolded between 9:30 pm and 10:50 pm. In the complaint, RPF ASI Yamini Kant Mishra alleged she and constable Rajesh Kumar were alerted by TC Harikesh Tripathi and a co-passenger about Banerjee’s refusal to vacate a reserved seat. Mishra stated that despite attempts to calm her, Banerjee became aggressive before undressing herself, brandishing a blade and causing injuries to Mishra and herself. Mishra’s complaint stated she damaged her uniform and mobile device during the scuffle and broke her spectacles.RPF staff secured the doors of the AC coach. Banerjee allegedly broke the glass to escape and was handed over to GRP when the train reached Dahanu. “Banerjee left after she was served a notice,” said a police officer.
