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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.

Guru of Gurus: Tribute to M.M. Sharma

Luminaries of science and industry at the launch of "Guru of Gurus" at the ICT in Mumabi.
Luminaries of science and industry at the launch of "Guru of Gurus" at the ICT in Mumabi.

Mumbai: In an evening marked by deep reverence and scientific celebration, eminent scientist Dr. Raghunath Anant Mashelkar paid a moving tribute to his mentor, Padma Vibhushan awardee Prof. Man Mohan Sharma. The heartfelt reverence took center stage at the K.V. Auditorium of the Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT), where academicians, students, and industry leaders gathered to honor one of India’s most distinguished chemical engineers.


Speaking passionately at the event, Dr. Mashelkar affectionately addressed Prof. Sharma as his revered "guru." He reflected extensively on Prof. Sharma's pioneering contributions to chemical engineering, placing special emphasis on his unique and visionary approach to science. Dr. Mashelkar noted that his mentor possessed the rare ability to seamlessly bridge the gap between complex fundamental research and tangible, real-world industrial applications. For Dr. Mashelkar, the occasion was not just a formal celebration, but a deeply personal reflection on a mentor whose teachings have left an indelible mark on both academia and the broader industrial landscape of the nation.


This gathering of scientific and industrial minds was organized to mark the launch of two significant publications that encapsulate Prof. Sharma’s extraordinary legacy. The releases included a newly penned Gujarati biography and a beautifully curated coffee table book aptly titled "Guru of Gurus," published by Sundaram Digital Publication House. Both works chronicle his unparalleled contributions to science, his philosophy of knowledge-sharing, and his lifelong dedication to mentoring generations of talent.


The sentiment of deep respect initiated by Dr. Mashelkar was echoed by other dignitaries throughout the evening. Guest of Honour Madhukar Parekh, Chairman of Pidilite Industries, expanded on this narrative by highlighting Prof. Sharma’s profound structural influence on India’s scientific framework. Parekh emphasized how Prof. Sharma’s steadfast commitment to innovation and his role as an institution-builder have actively shaped countless leaders, entrepreneurs, and technologists across various sectors.


Taking the podium amidst the tributes, Prof. Man Mohan Sharma looked toward the future rather than simply reflecting on his past achievements. He shared his enduring dream of elevating ICT to the prestigious status of a Central University, underscoring the institute's immense potential to evolve into a world-class, globally competitive center for science and engineering.


Ultimately, the event stood as a fitting and intellectually enriching celebration of a legendary figure. Through the poignant reflections of esteemed peers like Dr. Mashelkar and the launch of these new literary works, the gathering immortalized Prof. Sharma not just for his scientific brilliance, but for his profound dedication to nation-building and his lifelong, guiding role as the ultimate "guru of gurus."

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