Pardeshi's reaction came after the plight of the Bhise family was brought to his notice. Ajay, who worked with a computer firm, had lost his father just two months back. His mother has reportedly refused to eat or sleep since his arrest. Ajay has been in the lock-up of Faraskhana police station for the last two days. He has been charged under Section 420 and 464 of IPC.

The Deccan police said the pass submitted to them showed that the date on it was altered. "The pass is original, but the date has been altered.," he said. Bhise was travelling from Kothrud to Pune station when the bus conductor, Satish Gujre, while checking Bhise's pass suspected something amiss on it and lodged a complaint with the police.

A PMPML traffic inspector said they had no intention of getting the youngster arrested. "In the last two months four-five cases have come to light where attempts were made to alter passes. The police probably arrested him to find out who actually tampered with the pass. It is suspected that some persons are applying chemicals and trying to rub the date on the passes and supplying them to commuters," he said.

PMPML joint director Aziz Karche said, "We have lodged a complaint with the police and it is up to the police to apply the law."