In a shocking incident that highlights the safety of women on public transport, a 20-year-old woman lost her left arm after she was allegedly molested and pushed off a Mumbai local train at Naigaon railway station. Bhayandar Railway Police have arrested a 53-year-old man in connection with the incident.
The incident took place on November 4 when the woman was travelling from Borivali to Virar. She had boarded a compartment meant for passengers with disabilities as the train was full (reports say she did not realise that it was a compartment for disabled persons).
The accused, Jitendra Hirmukhe (reports) was allegedly travelling in the same compartment with her. Police said he started touching her inappropriately during the journey, and when she objected to it and confronted him, an argument ensued between them.
Woman Allegedly Pushed Off Train After Resisting Molestation
The woman told the media that the argument didn’t end even after the train reached Naigaon station. She tried to stop the accused from harassing her, but the argument got heated up.
The woman allegedly used her slipper to defend herself, and then the accused allegedly retaliated. Then he allegedly pushed her so she fell into the gap between two coaches.
As she tried to get back on the platform, the local train started moving. Her left arm was trapped under the wheels of the train and she suffered severe injuries.
The woman also had serious injuries to her head, media reports said. She was given 16 stitches for the injury.
Doctors Amputate Woman's Left Arm
The injured woman was taken to the hospital immediately. Due to the severity of her injuries, doctors had to amputate her left arm below the elbow.
The incident has put the victim and her family in an extremely difficult position. In an interview given to media, the woman pleaded for justice and said how difficult it was to live a daily life after losing her arm.
Her account has also brought renewed attention to the safety of women travelling on crowded suburban trains.
53-Year-Old Accused Arrested by Railway Police
After the incident, the accused allegedly ran away from the station. Bhayandar Railway Police scanned CCTV footage from different locations to identify and track him down.
Police identified the man, though he tried to cover his face with a handkerchief, and arrested him and later identified him as Jitendra Hirmukhe (53) of Wakipada in Naigaon East.
The police registered a case of molestation and attempted murder. The investigation is still underway to establish the complete sequence of events and collect more evidence.
The incident has raised questions about passenger safety and protection available to women travelling on Mumbai’s suburban railway system. The victim is looking for justice while the investigation takes place.
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