Ratlam, July 6 (IANS) Retired Senior Loco Pilot Rajendra Rao Jadhav, who was driving the Sabarmati Express during the 2002 Godhra train burning incident and later became the complainant in the case, passed away in Ratlam on Sunday (July 5) after a prolonged illness, railway officials confirmed. He was 67.

Officials of the Ratlam Railway Division confirmed Jadhav’s death and said he had retired from service in 2018 after a long career with the Indian Railways. He had been undergoing treatment for an illness for some time. His last rites were performed at Triveni Muktidham in Ratlam.

He is survived by his wife, Sumati Jadhav, his son, Gaurav Jadhav, and three daughters; all three daughters are married.

The late Jadhav’s son-in-law, Piyush Gaikwad, on Monday said that he had been unwell for a long period due to his illness. His condition suddenly deteriorated on Sunday, and he passed away.

On February 27, 2002, Jadhav was the senior loco pilot of the Sabarmati Express when coach S-6 of the train was set on fire near the Godhra railway station in Gujarat, killing 59 people. The incident was followed by large-scale communal riots in the state.

Various reports revealed that the Sabarmati Express departed Ratlam at around 4.50 a.m. with Jadhav at the controls, accompanied by assistant loco pilot Mukesh Pachauri and guard S.N. Verma, before reaching Godhra railway station later that morning.

As the train’s driver, Jadhav was an eyewitness to the incident and later became the complainant in the criminal case.

Railway officials in Ratlam remembered him as a dedicated and disciplined employee who served the Railways with commitment throughout his career. News of his demise drew condolences from serving and retired railway personnel.

Officials, employees of the Ratlam Railway Division and fellow loco pilots gathered at Triveni Muktidham to pay their last respects and remember his years of service.

Railway officials expressed condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for peace to the departed soul.

–IANS

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