A Muslim man travelling on the Manmad–Kakinada Shirdi Express was assaulted after intervening in a dispute involving railway staff and a passenger over a ticket issue. The man stated that a group of around 20 individuals then targeted him for his religious appearance, pulled his beard, tore off and threw away his skullcap, and brutally beat him, while his companion was also beaten and had his phone snatched. They alleged that the police refused to assist when approached.