The dead body of a 50-year-old deputy chief ticket inspector (CTI), identified as A. Karunakaran Rao, was found along the railway tracks near Rourkela station, about 280 kms away from Jamshedpur, early on Thursday morning.

Rao, a resident of Kadma, was posted at Chakradharpur in the West Singhbhum district.

Manish Pathak, senior divisional commercial manager of Chakradharpur, said Rao was killed under “mysterious circumstances”.

“A. Karunakaran Rao who was deputy CTI posted at Chakradharpur was found lying dead along the railway track between Darposh and Sogra flag station, about 50 kms away from Rourkela station at about 4 am on Thursday, “ Pathak told The Telegraph Online.

Initial investigation suggests that Rao might have fallen down from the Howrah-Pune Azad Express in which he was travelling, but he might have been victim to a foul play as well, Pathak said.

He pointed out Rao had worked as a train ticket examiner (TTE) also and was an experienced person, and his falling down from a running train is near impossible.

“The GRP, Rourkela is investigating the incident. The body has been sent to a morgue in Rourkela. An autopsy report may unfold the mystery,” Pathak said.

However, sources in the railway said that Rao was pushed from the running train by some co-passengers.

They further said that the deceased had attended his duty till Wednesday evening and had boarded the Azad Hind Express from Tatanagar at about 1.30 am on Thursday to reach Villashpur.