Mumbai: A Shiv Sena MLA from Nanded held up a train for nearly an hour on Wednesday night at CST (Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus) because he was allotted a side berth. According to sources, the train, Devgiri Express, which was carrying nearly 2,000 passengers, was held up because the MLA, Hemant Patil, and an aide refused to accept the ‘side’ berths in the Second AC coach.

The group accompanying the MLA kept pulling the chain to ensure the train didn’t move out of the platform. The train, that was supposed to depart at 9.10pm, moved out of CST only at 9.57pm, but was forced to halt near Masjid station. From there, the train finally left at 10.06pm.

The tantrum over a side berth lasted for over 56 minutes. The delay had a knock-on effect on other long-distance trains, namely CST-Mangalore Express and the Siddheshwar Express (to Solapur) by more than 15 minutes. Four fast local trains were also held up causing a crowd of more than 1,000 people at the platforms.

Hemant Patil’s situation reportedly remained unresolved. Whether he made his peace with the ‘side’ berth or not remains a mystery.

However, passengers were outraged and fumed over the MLA’s unruly behaviour.  Surprised over the MLA being let off, Aslam Shaikh from Aurangabad, a passenger on the train said “If a regular passenger had made such a scene, he would have been hauled off to jail. Why are elected representatives allowed to get away with such behaviour?”

Another passenger, Suhas Patil, from Nanded, said, “Is there no law for these people? Are all laws only for the common man?”

Sena spokesperson and legislator Neelam Gorhe refused to comment on the incident, saying, “Whatever Patil may have done was in his personal capacity. How can I react to this as a party spokesperson?”

Meanwhile, General Manager, Central Railway, Sunil Kumar, has said that he will institute an inquiry into the incident. “The chain of the Devgiri Express was pulled by some passengers, delaying the train for over an hour. We will inquire into what exactly transpired.”

A special 2nd AC coach was added to the packed Devgiri Express, to accommodate the VIPs departing for their respective constituencies after the assembly session had ended.