Counterfeit Circuit Breakers Linked to Punjab Mail Fire Incident
Punjab Mail fire: Supplier booked for ‘fake’ circuit breakers

Image: Hindustan Times
An FIR has been filed against Aspee Sales Corporation, a Kolkata-based railway equipment supplier, for allegedly providing counterfeit and expired circuit breakers that caused a fire incident on the Mumbai-Firozpur Punjab Mail in March. The faulty equipment endangered passengers and has raised serious safety concerns.
- 01Aspee Sales Corporation supplied 325 Motor Protection Circuit Breakers for ₹4 lakh to Indian Railways after winning a tender in November 2025.
- 02The fire incident occurred on March 7 when smoke was detected in a coach of the Punjab Mail, leading to a dangerous situation.
- 03The counterfeit circuit breakers failed to trip during a high-voltage current, contributing to the fire risk.
- 04The original manufacturer confirmed that Aspee Sales Corporation was not an authorized dealer and that the supplied products were expired.
- 05The FIR includes charges under sections 318(4) and 125 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, addressing cheating and endangering public safety.
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An FIR has been filed against Aspee Sales Corporation, a Kolkata-based supplier of railway equipment, following a fire incident on the Mumbai-Firozpur Punjab Mail on March 7. The police allege that the company supplied 325 Motor Protection Circuit Breakers (MPCB) that were counterfeit and expired, compromising passenger safety. The circuit breakers were procured for ₹4 lakh after winning an online tender in November 2025. During the incident, smoke was detected from one of the train's coaches, and the MPCB failed to trip despite a high-voltage current, which could have prevented the fire. An inquiry revealed that the original manufacturer denied any authorization of Aspee Sales Corporation as a dealer and confirmed that the products supplied were indeed expired. The railway authorities have raised serious concerns over public safety due to the defective equipment provided by the supplier. Consequently, police have registered a case under sections 318(4) (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property) and 125 (acts endangering human life or personal safety of others) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, highlighting the gravity of the situation.
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The incident raises significant concerns about railway safety and the integrity of equipment supplied to public transport systems.
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