A shocking incident of alleged administrative apathy has surfaced within the Northern Railway’s Lucknow Division. On Tuesday, March 3, 2026, reports emerged of a loco pilot, Rajesh Meena, being forced to undress before a senior officer to provide physical proof of a surgical wound after his request for medical leave was repeatedly dismissed.
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The incident, which has been captured in videos circulating among railway employee groups, has ignited a fierce debate over the working conditions and “inhumane” treatment of the running staff who operate India’s massive rail network.
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The Video Evidence: A Viral Cry for Help
Colleagues of the loco pilot recorded the confrontation, which has since gone viral on WhatsApp and social media.
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The Confrontation: In the footage, Meena and his fellow pilots are seen questioning Chief Crew Controller (CCC) Ratan Kumar on why a medical leave extension was denied despite visible distress.
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The Narrative: In a separate video, Meena describes how he struggled with piles for a long time and finally underwent surgery in Lucknow on February 22. Despite showing bandages, lab reports, and prescriptions, he claims he was told to return to duty.
The “Sick Memo” Deadlock: Procedural Failures
The AILRSA has highlighted a breakdown in the standard operating procedure for medical leave.
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Medical Validation: Meena reportedly visited the Railway Health Unit, where a doctor confirmed his condition and asked him to obtain a “sick memo” from his supervisors.
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The Refusal: When Meena approached the CCC for this memo, the officer was reportedly “not convinced,” leading to the desperate act of undressing to show the raw wounds on his private parts.
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Intervention: It was only after a community union leader escalated the matter to senior divisional authorities that the leave for rest was finally sanctioned.
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Union Demand: Accountability and Reform
AILRSA leaders, including Secretary General K.C. James, have lashed out at the railway administration.
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The Quote: “It is so shameful that a loco pilot has to take off his pants before his senior to convince him for medical leave… Is this the kind of treatment we should expect?”
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The Demand: The union is calling for an immediate inquiry and strict disciplinary action against CCC Ratan Kumar for “inhuman behavior” and “harassment” of a staff member belonging to the ST community.
Reality Check
Loco pilots often work under immense pressure with irregular hours, making medical recovery critical for safety. Still, the “leave shortage” in Indian Railways frequently leads to friction between crew controllers and pilots. Therefore, while the officer may have been under pressure to maintain “crew links,” denying leave for a post-surgical wound is a massive safety risk. In fact, a pilot in physical pain is a liability behind the controls of a train carrying hundreds of passengers.
The Loopholes
The pilot followed the “laid down procedure” by going to the Health Unit first. In fact, this is a “Bureaucratic Loophole”—the medical unit validates the illness, but the administrative unit (CCC) controls the “memo” that officially marks the pilot as sick. Therefore, a non-medical officer has the de facto power to override a doctor’s recommendation. Still, the “Senior Intervention Loophole”—where the leave was granted only after “speaking to senior officers”—suggests that the local rules are often ignored until higher management is shamed into acting.
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What This Means for You
If you are a railway employee, document every step of your medical interaction. First, realize that a physical “sick certificate” from a private doctor is often not enough; you must get it validated by a Railway Medical Officer. Then, if a supervisor denies you a “sick memo” despite a doctor’s recommendation, immediately involve your Union Representative or use the Railway Madad portal to register a grievance.
Finally, understand that safety is a collective responsibility. You should never operate a locomotive if you are not physically fit. Before you resort to desperate measures, remember that the DRM (Divisional Railway Manager) office has a dedicated grievance cell for “running staff” issues that can bypass local controllers.
What’s Next
The Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), Lucknow, is expected to issue a formal statement regarding the internal inquiry by Friday. Then, look for a protest or “gate meeting” by the AILRSA at the Lucknow crew lobby to push for a change in the leave-granting protocol. Finally, expect the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) to potentially take suo motu cognizance of the matter if the allegations of harassment against a tribal employee are pursued.
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