A loco pilot in the Lucknow Rail Division allegedly undressed in front of a senior railway officer after his request for medical leave was denied, according to claims made by the loco staff union. The incident happened after the loco pilot, who had recently undergone surgery for piles, requested additional leave for rest as his wounds had not healed.
The loco pilot, identified as Rajesh Meena, belongs to the Scheduled Tribe community. According to leaders of the All India Loco Running Staff Association (AILRSA), Meena became frustrated when the Chief Crew Controller, Ratan Kumar, reportedly refused to grant him leave despite his medical condition.
A video of the incident, reportedly recorded by Meena’s colleagues, has been widely shared on WhatsApp groups of railway employees. The video shows Meena and other staff confronting the officer over the denial of medical leave. Railway employees have expressed anger over the incident, calling it an example of inhuman treatment.
Union leaders said that Meena had been suffering from piles for a long time. After unsuccessful treatment in Indore, he finally underwent surgery in Lucknow on February 22. According to the union, he was initially granted leave for surgery from February 22 to February 28.
However, his wound had not healed within a week, and he needed more rest. Following official procedures, Meena first visited the Railway Health Unit to request an extension of leave. Doctors examined him and reportedly agreed that he needed additional rest. The doctor then asked him to obtain a “sick memo” from his senior officers to approve the leave extension.
Meena then approached the crew controller and later the Chief Crew Controller (CCC) to get the required memo. According to union leaders, he showed several medical documents, including lab reports, prescriptions, bandages and dressings, to prove his condition. Despite this, the officer allegedly remained unconvinced and refused to grant leave.
Union leader Adarsh Kumar Gupta, Assistant Secretary General of AILRSA (Northern Zone), said that Meena was left with no option but to remove his pants and show the unhealed wound to the officer to prove his condition.
“He had no option but to take off his pants and show his wound,” Gupta said, adding that the union has demanded strict action against the officer involved.
AILRSA Secretary General K. C. James also criticized the incident and said it was shameful that a railway employee had to take such a step to convince his senior for medical leave.
“We work day and night to take people to their destinations so that they can celebrate festivals with their families. Is this the kind of treatment we should expect from the Railway administration?” he said.
According to the union, Meena later approached a union leader from his community, who raised the issue with senior officers in the railway division. After this intervention, Meena was finally granted leave for rest.
Meanwhile, when contacted, Sunil Kumar Verma, the Divisional Railway Manager of the Lucknow Division under the Northern Railway Zone, did not give any immediate response regarding the incident.
The union has demanded an investigation into the matter and strict action against the officer for allegedly denying medical leave despite clear medical evidence.
Why This Incident Has Sparked Debate?
This incident has triggered strong reactions among railway employees and the public. Many people believe it reflects a larger problem in workplace culture, where employees sometimes struggle to get basic medical support from authorities.
Railway loco pilots handle one of the most stressful and responsible jobs in the transport sector. They operate trains for long hours and ensure the safety of thousands of passengers every day. When such employees have to take extreme steps just to prove their medical condition, it raises serious questions about the sensitivity of the system.
Experts say that workplaces, especially government organisations, must treat medical issues with empathy and trust. Medical certificates and doctor recommendations should normally be enough to grant leave. Situations where employees feel forced to publicly prove their illness can damage morale and dignity.
The incident from Lucknow has now become a talking point among railway staff across the country, with many demanding better policies and more humane behaviour from administrative officers.
