On Thursday afternoon, around 3:30 PM, an incident occurred involving the Vande Bharat Express (22489) traveling between Varanasi and Meerut, where a stone struck the train near Hardoi. The impact, which shattered a window in the C-4 coach near seats 60-61, caused panic among passengers. Notably, Mohan Bhagwat, the chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, was aboard the train but not in the affected coach.

Both the railway police and local authorities arrived at the scene to investigate the matter. Initial inquiries suggest that local children, aged between 8 to 13 years, were playing cricket nearby, and a stone was inadvertently thrown, hitting the speeding train. The police have filed a case under the Railway Act, indicating that this incident was likely an accident related to play and not a deliberate act of mischief.

Local police officer Ankit Mishra emphasized that the likelihood of intentional wrongdoing is low, and the incident should be viewed through the lens of children engaging in recreational activities. This event raises questions about the safety measures in place around railway tracks and the implications of child safety during play, especially in proximity to fast-moving trains.