Stone pelting on Thiruvananthapuram–Mangaluru Vande Bharat; youth held

Mangalore Today News Network

Kochi, Mar 20, 2026: A 19-year-old youth has been arrested for allegedly pelting stones at a Vande Bharat Express near Aluva, Railway Protection Force (RPF) officials said on Friday.

The accused, identified as Sujith Suresh (19), is a native of Parakadavu near Angamaly.

According to RPF officials, the incident occurred on March 7 when the Thiruvananthapuram–Mangaluru Vande Bharat Express was targeted near Nedumbassery airport. The stone pelting caused minor damage to the side window panes of the train.

Following the incident, the RPF and Railway Police launched an investigation. Using CCTV footage from the train, officials were able to identify the accused. He was later arrested on Thursday in a joint operation by the RPF and Railway Police.

During interrogation, the accused reportedly told officials that he resorted to stone pelting while distressed over a failed relationship, an RPF officer said.

He was produced before a court and remanded to judicial custody.