Two nursing students die after coming under Vande Bharat train

BENGALURU: Two nursing students were allegedly killed after coming under a Vande Bharat train at Chikkabannavara railway station on Monday. The deceased have been identified as Sterlin Eliza Shaji (19) and Justin Joseph (20), both from Kerala, who were first‑year nursing students at a private college.

A case of unnatural death has been registered at Yeshwantpur Railway police station. Initially, police suspected it was a suicide. According to railway police, the students were heading to their PG accommodation and attempted to cross the track when the Vande Bharat train, which was travelling at high speed, struck them, resulting in their death. It was lataer revealed that the two had in fact committed suicide.

Railway police are currently gathering information about the young man and woman; both were studying at the same college. According to eyewitnesses, the incident happened while they were crossing the railway track.

Kerala Association General Secretary Jash said that the two went to church after college and returned. “The incident happened when they were crossing the railway track. The boy’s parents are on their way while the girl’s parents have arrived. A case has been registered and more details will be known after investigation”, he said.

In a significant twist, it later came to light that the two students had committed suicide. The Vande Bharat train’s CCTV camera captured them standing on the railway track. Railway police investigation has confirmed it as suicide. However, the reason for the suicide is under investigation; the two students were found embracing each other when they were hit by the train.

Railway Superintendent of Police Yatish said, “The incident took place around 2.30 pm. We rushed to the spot and conducted an inspection. Both were from Kerala. We have already registered a UDR case. When we looked at the railway CCTV, it appeared to be a suicide, but no suicide note was found. Since Sunday was a holiday, we did not contact the families. Today, we are contacting them and investigating whether there was any issue between them”.