Asian man stopped by police at train station because of headphone lead sticking out of his backpack
Jaz Oberoi said he understood the authorities were just doing their job, but felt being taken off the train a second time was 'humiliating'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A rail traveller was stopped twice by police at a train station following concerns over wires hanging from his backpack, which later turned out to be headphone lead.
Jaz Oberoi, from Hanwell in west London, was travelling from Bristol to London when he was stopped first by British Transport Police (BTP), and then again by armed members of Thames Valley Police.
In a statement on his Facebook page, Mr Oberoi commented "I had absolutely no problem with the first instance of them removing me from the train", but said that the second occasion was "overkill".
"To be marched off twice was a bit much - I wasn't rude, I was very accommodating. I felt it was completely unnecessary to humiliate me twice," according to the BBC.
During the incident, which occurred on the 3 July, Mr Oberoi's train was held for 30 minutes.
According to The Reading Chronicle police were investigating reports of "a group of men acting suspiciously".
The paper reported a BTP spokesman as saying: "Officers from BTP and colleagues from Thames Valley Police met a London Paddington bound train at Reading station and carried a thorough search of the train. No one matching the description in the report was found."
Thames Valley Police said the matter had now been "concluded".
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments