Engineering student pushed from ladies’ coach in local train; accused arrested

Mumbai: In a shocking incident aboard a Mumbai local train, a 50-year-old man allegedly pushed an engineering student from a ladies’ coach, leaving her seriously injured. The accused has been identified as Shaikh Akhtar Nawaz and has been arrested by the police in connection with the case.

According to Panvel GRP Senior Inspector Vijay Tayade, the victim, 18-year-old Shweta Mahadik, hails from Usarli village near New Panvel. On Thursday morning, she boarded the Panvel-CSMT local train’s ladies’ coach along with a female friend at 7:59 am to attend college in Kharghar.

Shaikh Akhtar Nawaz was also present in the ladies’ coach. Other female passengers objected to his presence and asked him to alight, which led to a verbal confrontation.

During the scuffle, as Nawaz refused to leave and the train began moving, he allegedly turned and pushed Shweta Mahadik off the footboard of the coach. She fell onto the tracks approximately 1.5 kilometers from Panvel station. Fellow passengers immediately contacted the railway helpline, prompting a swift police response.

Nawaz was later apprehended near Khandeshwar station by the GRP team. Eyewitnesses reported that Shweta was taken to a nearby private hospital for treatment. Doctors conducted CT scans and X-rays to assess internal injuries, and she has since been discharged.

The incident has been registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections for attempted murder and relevant provisions of the Indian Railways Act. Authorities have confirmed that Nawaz will face legal proceedings accordingly.

Inspector Tayade emphasized the role of quick action by passengers and the police in preventing further harm and ensuring the accused was caught swiftly. The case has triggered renewed calls for strict enforcement of women’s safety measures in Mumbai local trains.

The Mumbai GRP has urged all female passengers to report any suspicious behavior and warned that trespassing into ladies’ coaches will be treated as a serious offense. The investigation into the exact circumstances of the push continues, and further statements from witnesses are being recorded.

This incident has raised concerns about safety in public transport and highlights the need for vigilance and stringent security measures to protect passengers, especially in women-only compartments of the city’s local trains.

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