Latest update:05 Mar 2026, 6:47 PM IST

Rajesh Meena, a pilot flying in Lucknow, was forced to strip in front of a senior officer to prove his medical unfitness after surgery.

Rajesh Meena, a pilot flying in Lucknow, was forced to strip in front of a senior officer to prove his medical unfitness after surgery.

A local pilot in Lucknow was allegedly forced to undress in front of a senior officer to prove that he is medically unfit for duty after being denied an extension of his sick leave, according to railway union leaders.

The local pilot, identified as Rajesh Meena, had recently undergone surgery to treat the piles, but was reportedly asked to report for duty despite not having fully recovered.

Leaders of the All India Loco Running Staff Association said Meena had been suffering from hemorrhoids for a long time. After initial treatment in Indore did not provide relief, he underwent surgery in Lucknow on February 22. He was granted leave from February 22 to February 28 to undergo the operation.

However, when the surgical wounds had not healed by the end of the week, Meena approached the Railway Health Unit to seek an extension of his medical leave. Union leaders said doctors examined him and agreed that he needed additional rest, and advised him to obtain a “sick note” from his superiors.

Meena then approached the crew monitor and then chief crew monitor, identified by the union as Ratan Kumar, and provided medical documents including prescriptions, laboratory reports and dressing reports. Despite this, the officer allegedly refused to issue the required memorandum to extend his sick leave.

Mena, who was frustrated and still in pain, allegedly pulled down his pants in front of the officer to show off his unhealed surgical wounds in an attempt to demonstrate the seriousness of his condition.

An alleged video of the incident, recorded by colleagues, has since gone viral and sparked outrage among Indian Railways employees. Many employees described the situation as “inhumane.”

After the intervention of a union leader, Mina was eventually placed on leave.

The association demanded strict action against the officer involved, saying the incident was extremely humiliating and highlighted the need for more humane treatment of railway employees.

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