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By:

Quaid Najmi

4 January 2025 at 3:26:24 pm

Mumbai local train murder stuns commuters

Mumbai: A routine commute to home on a dark rain-soaked night in a Mumbai local turned into a nightmare when a 22-year-old commuter was allegedly stabbed to death inside a first-class compartment following a heated argument over shutting the train door, late on Tuesday. The victim, identified as Mayank Lohar, 22, worked as a salesman with a private company in Andheri and lived in Virar, nearly 60 km from Churchgate. According to Western Railway (WR) and Government Railway Police (GRP)...

Mumbai local train murder stuns commuters

Mumbai: A routine commute to home on a dark rain-soaked night in a Mumbai local turned into a nightmare when a 22-year-old commuter was allegedly stabbed to death inside a first-class compartment following a heated argument over shutting the train door, late on Tuesday. The victim, identified as Mayank Lohar, 22, worked as a salesman with a private company in Andheri and lived in Virar, nearly 60 km from Churchgate. According to Western Railway (WR) and Government Railway Police (GRP) officials, the shocking incident took place aboard the Churchgate-Nalasopara Fast Local (Train No. 90663), which left Churchgate at 10.05 pm and reached Andheri at 10.42 pm. As the train pulled out of Andheri, heavy rains started lashing the city. Lohar reportedly requested a fellow commuter standing near the doorway to shut the door, as rainwater was blowing into the compartment and inconveniencing those seated inside. The other commuter, wearing a dark shirt and trousers, allegedly refused and it started a heated verbal exchange which quickly escalated into a raging argument as the train raced through Goregaon and Malad. Then, in a horrifying burst of violence, the suspect allegedly pulled out a knife and repeatedly stabbed Lohar in the abdomen and chest as the train zoomed past Kandivali. Stunned Silence The other terrified commuters watched in stunned silence as the attack unfolded and ended within a matter of minutes claiming the young boy. Writhing in pain and bleeding profusely, Lohar collapsed onto the compartment floor as panic gripped the passengers and they scrambled away from the attacker, who reportedly continued to pace about menacingly. Eyewitnesses later said that as the train slowed while entering Borivali station’s Platform No. 6, the suspect calmly jumped off, ran up the staircase and vanished into the wet darkness. When the train halted at Borivali at 11.04 pm, the other commuters immediately alerted railway authorities. WR, GRP and medical personnel rushed to the platform within minutes with emergency equipment, medicos, porters and a stretcher. Lohar was first rushed to the station’s Emergency Medical Room, where a doctor examined him and declared him dead. His body was later shifted to Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Shatabdi Hospital in Kandivali for post-mortem and other legal formalities. Special Teams The brutal killing sent shockwaves across Mumbai’s suburban rail network. In the morning, Borivali GRP Senior Police Inspector Datta Khuperkar said seven special teams were formed and nearly 400 CCTV camera feeds were scrutinised to trace the suspect. The attacker was captured on multiple surveillance cameras, cool and casual, without a hint of remorse, walking out of Borivali station after the attack. Following an intensive 14-hour manhunt, he was tracked down and arrested at Panvel in Raigad. The Borivali GRP has registered a murder case and launched a detailed investigation. As news of the shocking crime spread amid Wednesday’s torrential rains, commuters expressed outrage and disbelief that a trivial dispute over closing a train door could culminate in such a savage killing. Pall of gloom in Virar Early Wednesday morning, the Lohar family of Virar was devastated on learning about the horrifying killing of their favourite child, Mayank in a train altercation. His parents, three brothers and a sister could barely speak, with his wailing mother demanding “he must be hanged”. Consoling each other, one sister lamented how he was a quiet boy, rarely stepped out of the house without any reason and had his entire life before him that was snuffed out. Venting their ire, they asked “where was the police, why the other commuters didn’t help him” and warned that today it was their son, “next it can be anybody’s son”. The massive dragnet Barely hours after the brutal killing of Mayank Lohar, the Borivali GRP launched one of the biggest manhunts to track and apprehend the suspected killer from Panvel in Raigad district. He was later identified as one Roshan Suvarna, 30, of Mira Road, running a barcode business, informed Borivali GRP Senior Police Inspector Datta Khuperkar. “We formed seven teams with around 10 police personnel supervised by 15 officers. They scanned footage from over 400 CCTVs to trace the regular movements of the accused. The GRP stations of Borivali, Andheri, Mira Road and Nalasopara were involved in the search. We deployed tech-intel to scour his mobile and with help of our network of informers, finally caught him in Panvel,” a weary but victorious Khuperkar told ‘The Perfect Voice’. He added that after completing the legal and medical formalities, he will be produced before a Borivali Court for remand.

Ambulance deployed for Deputy CM; critical patient dies


Ambernath: A tragic incident in Ambernath has raised serious concerns over medical negligence and administrative priorities after Meena Balraman Suryawanshi, a resident of Swami Nagar, died when an ambulance was reportedly unavailable. The vehicle had been deployed for Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s visit to inaugurate the Dharmveer Anand Dighe Natyamandir.


According to local residents, Meena Suryawanshi suddenly fell critically ill and was rushed to the Chhaya Sub-District Hospital for urgent medical care. Citizens allege that there was a delay in providing immediate treatment despite her worsening condition.


After assessing her condition, doctors decided to refer Meena to Central Hospital in Ulhasnagar for advanced treatment. When residents requested an ambulance for the transfer, hospital staff reportedly told them that no ambulance was available because it had been assigned for VIP duty during the Deputy Chief Minister’s event.


Residents tried to arrange alternative transport, but precious time was lost. Tragically, Meena Balraman Suryawanshi passed away before she could be shifted.


Residents have expressed outrage over the incident, questioning how a government hospital could divert a critical emergency vehicle for a political function while a patient’s life was at stake. Locals also recalled that the same hospital had faced controversy a few years ago when 16 patients were allegedly given the wrong injection, raising concerns about recurring mismanagement and medical negligence.


Inquiry ordered

Dr. Shubhangi Wadekar, Medical Superintendent of Chhaya Sub-District Hospital, said she was aware of the incident and had ordered a detailed inquiry. “I will investigate the matter thoroughly and take strict action against those found responsible,” she stated.


Meanwhile, attempts to contact Civil Surgeon Kailash Pawar for comment were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to phone calls.


While speaking to ‘The Perfect Voice’, Keshavan, a resident who was present during the incident, said, “The ambulance was occupied for a Deputy Chief Minister’s visit while Meena’s condition was critical. We tried everything to help, but precious minutes were lost. It’s heartbreaking that such negligence cost a life. This is not the first time something like this has happened — a few years ago, 16 patients at the same hospital were given the wrong injection.”


Social activist Mahesh Inkar said, “A woman who had suffered a heart attack was brought to Chhaya Sub-District Hospital in Ambernath for admission. Around the same time, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde was visiting Ambernath for the inauguration of a theatre. As part of his security protocol, an ambulance from the Chhaya Sub-District Hospital was assigned to his visit.


During this period, the woman needed to be shifted to Thane or Mumbai for further treatment. Had an ambulance been available in time, it is possible her life could have been saved. Unfortunately, such incidents have occurred in the past as well.


Legal action must be taken against the doctors responsible in such cases, for negligence and dereliction of duty. Only then can we ensure such tragedies are not repeated in the future.”


Citizens are demanding a probe by the District Health Department to determine who authorised the use of the hospital ambulance for VIP duty and to ensure that such lapses do not occur again.


The death of Meena Balraman Suryawanshi has reignited debate over the misuse of public health resources for official events, highlighting the tension between VIP protocol and emergency medical care.

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