A 20-year-old woman lost her left arm after she was allegedly pushed onto the railway tracks at Naigaon railway station in Maharashtra’s Palghar district on November 4, following a confrontation with a fellow passenger over alleged molestation aboard a Mumbai local train.
The woman, who was travelling from Borivali to Naigaon, sustained severe injuries when the train began moving as she attempted to get back onto the platform. Her left arm was severed below the elbow, and she also suffered head injuries requiring 16 stitches.
The Bhayandar Government Railway Police (GRP) arrested the 53-year-old accused, identified as Jitendra Hirmukhe, on November 9 after examining CCTV footage from multiple locations. Police have registered a case involving allegations of molestation and attempted murder. The incident has also raised concerns about women’s safety on Mumbai’s suburban railway network.
Confrontation Turns Violent
According to reports, the woman was returning home to Naigaon East from Borivali on the evening of November 4 after visiting her sister in Goregaon. She had boarded a Virar-bound local train during the evening rush hour. With the train crowded, she reportedly entered a compartment reserved for persons with disabilities.
The accused, who was travelling in the same compartment, allegedly began touching her inappropriately. When she objected and confronted him, an argument broke out between the two passengers. According to the woman’s account, the confrontation continued even after the train reached Naigaon station. She reportedly threw her slipper at the man in an attempt to drive him away, following which he allegedly retaliated by throwing his slipper at her.
The situation escalated when the accused allegedly pushed her towards the tracks, causing her to fall into the gap between the train and the platform. As she attempted to climb back onto the platform, the local train began moving, trapping her left arm beneath its wheels. The severe injuries ultimately led doctors to amputate her arm below the elbow. She also sustained injuries to her head and required 16 stitches.
Police Trace Accused
Following the incident, the woman was initially rushed to a nearby hospital before being shifted to Mumbai’s Cooper Hospital for further treatment. The accused allegedly fled the station after the incident, reportedly covering his face with a cloth to avoid identification.
However, railway police examined CCTV footage from several locations to establish his identity and trace his movements. The investigation eventually led to the arrest of 53-year-old Jitendra Hirmukhe, a resident of Wakipada in Naigaon East, on November 9. Senior Police Inspector Ganpat Tumbada of Bhayandar Railway Police confirmed that investigators used CCTV footage from multiple locations to identify and apprehend the accused. Police have registered a case against him on charges relating to molestation and attempted murder.
Meanwhile, the survivor’s family reportedly expressed concerns over the initial investigation, particularly regarding the inclusion of charges under Section 109 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which deals with attempted murder. The family subsequently approached the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) for assistance, following which party representatives met the senior railway police inspector. Police subsequently confirmed that the attempted murder charge had been included in the case. The investigation is expected to establish the complete sequence of events and determine the circumstances surrounding the alleged assault.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The incident highlights the urgent need to make public transport safer for women. No woman should face violence for speaking up against harassment. While the accused’s arrest is an important step, authorities must ensure a fair investigation and provide the survivor with necessary support. Railway authorities and commuters must work together to create safer public spaces where harassment is challenged rather than ignored. What more can be done to ensure women’s safety on public transport?
