Varanasi : Eighteen Bihar-bound passengers were drugged and looted allegedly by some unidentified persons on the Jan Sadharan Express on Thursday morning, Government Rail Police sources said in Varanasi.

The passengers passed out after consuming some drugged sweets offered by unknown persons, who then took off with thousands of rupees in cash and other valuables when the train halted at the Mughalsarai junction, 16 kms from Varanasi.

The passengers were found in an unconscious state inside a general coach of the train at the Mughalsarai junction, GRP sources said, adding they were rushed to the nearby Railway hospital for treatment. Cases have been registered against unknown persons who are yet to be arrested. PTI