Stone-pelting on Vande Bharat Express near Surat: UP Governor safe, one detained

Stones were pelted at the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Vande Bharat Express near Utran railway station in Gujarat on Tuesday evening, damaging the windows of two coaches, Western Railway officials said. One person was arrested in connection with the incident, according to officials.

Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel was travelling on the train with her daughter Anar Patel and others, including Praful Patel, Administrator of the Union Territory of Daman and Diu. Officials clarified that the VIP passengers were travelling in an executive coach and nobody was injured in the incident, as also reported by Lokmat Times.

The Ahmedabad-bound Vande Bharat train left Mumbai Central around 3:45 pm on Tuesday, Western Railway officials told The Indian Express. Daman and Diu Administrator Praful Patel, UP Governor Anandiben Patel and her daughter Anar Patel boarded an executive coach at Vapi railway station. Actor Anang Desai, who boarded from Mumbai, was also among the passengers, the Express reported.

Details of the incident

The stone-pelting was reported after Utran station on the Utran-Ankleshwar section of the Vadodara division. The incident is believed to have taken place between 6:30 pm and 6:45 pm, as reported by The Times of India and Lokmat Times, involving Train No. 22961, according to Lokmat Times.

The glass windows of coaches C-6 and C-10 were damaged. Information about the incident was received by the Railway Protection Force (RPF) escort party deployed on the train. The RPF reached the location and detained a man, aged around 30, from near the railway tracks, as reported by Lokmat Times. Preliminary questioning indicated that the man was heavily intoxicated, and police and RPF officials were questioning him to establish his identity and ascertain his involvement, the same report stated. The Times of India added that the GRP SP was informed about the incident, and the inspector-in-charge of the Ankleshwar RPF post proceeded to the reported location for verification and further action.

The train was scheduled to be attended to at its next halt, Vadodara railway station. Officials said the governor was travelling in coach E1 with her relatives, as reported by The Times of India.

VIP on board, no injuries

There was no immediate report of any passenger being injured in the stone-pelting. Patel remained unharmed as she was seated in the Executive Coach, according to Lokmat Times.

During the journey, Patel met actor Anang Desai and other co-passengers and discussed the film industry and other issues, as reported by The Times of India, which cited the official vigour handle of the governor.

The Times of India reported that the official X handle of the governor said Patel travelled from Vapi to Ahmedabad by Vande Bharat Express. Administrator Praful Patel was also present on the train.

The incident occurred as the train was travelling towards Ahmedabad after departing from Mumbai, according to Lokmat Times.

Investigation and CCTV

Western Railway said officials from the Ahmedabad division were also contacted to collect and examine CCTV footage covering the relevant railway section and the movement of the train, as reported by The Times of India. The footage is expected to help establish the exact location of the incident and identify those involved.

The Times of India also quoted the chief public relations officer as saying that the investigation is underway to determine whether the detained man was responsible for the attack and whether anyone else was involved, according to its report.

Patel's leave and itinerary

Patel, who has served as Uttar Pradesh Governor since 2019 and is the state's longest-serving governor, is reportedly in Gujarat during a 10-day leave from August 17 to 26, according to Lokmat Times. Reports said the leave was taken for personal and family engagements.

During her stay, she visited parts of the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, including Silvassa and Daman. On August 23, Patel attended the Monsoon Festival-2026 at Devka Beach in Daman, where she called for greater awareness among children and young people about the harmful effects of substance abuse, the same report said.

Patel is expected to return to Uttar Pradesh after the leave period ends on August 26, as per the report.