Surat, June 2: The Ministry of Railways has issued a clarification regarding the arrest of a train hawker, Avdhesh Dubey, in Gujarat after videos of him mocking Indian politicians went viral on social media. The hawker became popular after videos of him mocking several politicians went viral on the internet. Netizens were angry as news of him being arrested by RPF (Railway Police Force) broke out. Gujarat: Train Hawker Arrested For Illegal Vending, Days After Video of Him Mimicking Politicians Went Viral.

The Railway Ministry said that he was arrested during the drive against unauthorised hawkers and was produced before the court. The Railway Magistrate while verifying his past records found that he has been a repeated offence for 12 times. He was sentenced to ten days of judicial custody and Rs 3,500 fine.  Idli Vendor in Mumbai Caught on Camera Using Toilet Water From Railway Station to Make Food; Watch Viral Video.

Read the full statement below:

"This has reference to the news item carried in your online publication regarding 'Gujarat: Train hawker arrested after video of him mimicking politicians goes viral'.

In this regard, the following is stated that RPF Surat arrested Shri Avdhesh Dubey during a drive against unauthorised persons and registered a case vide CR no1228/19 under section 144(A), 145(B), 147 of the Railways Act and was produced before the court. The Railway Magistrate verified the past record of the defaulter and came to know his repeated offences under section 144 RA (12th time including this case). The defaulter himself confessed to the magistrate that he has been doing unauthorized hawking in trains since 2005.

As the Railway Magistrate has been dealing with such repeated offenders strongly, he imposed him the punishment of 10 days imprisonment and fine Rs.3500/- pls. It is pertinent to mention here that Rly magistrate has imposed imprisonment up to 30 days also in other such cases. It is routine action by RPF, Surat against unauthorized vendors and 8 other persons were also arrested during this chive in the Month of May by RPF, Surat. It may also be mentioned Shd Avdhesh Dubey who has already been booked for this offence 11 times (7 times by Valsad Post and 4 times by Surat Post)".

Earlier, a 6-minute-long video of him mimicking the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Congress President Rahul Gandhi and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, while selling toys on the train went viral.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 02, 2019 09:21 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).