Father Demands Death Penalty After Youth Is Stabbed To Death On Andheri Local Train
A 22-year-old daily commuter, Mayank Lohar, was stabbed to death inside a Mumbai local train on Tuesday night between Andheri and Borivali stations following an argument over a train door. Following the arrest of the accused, the victim's father, Ramesh Lohar, has demanded the death penalty for the killer, while family members raised concerns over local train safety and the bystander apathy of co-passengers who filmed the incident.
The incident occurred inside a first-class compartment of a Churchgate-Nallasopara fast local train. Mayank, who worked at a retail clothing store and commuted daily between Virar and Andheri, got into an altercation with a co-passenger, identified as Sachin Ramesh Suvarna. The argument was reportedly over whether the train doors should remain open amid the rains.
During the dispute, Suvarna allegedly pulled out a sharp weapon and stabbed Mayank in the abdomen and chest. As the injured youth collapsed inside the coach, the accused jumped off the train at Borivali station and fled the scene. GRP, RPF, and medical teams attempted to save Mayank, but he succumbed to his injuries after being rushed to the hospital.
The police launched a massive manhunt, forming multiple teams and scanning footage from nearly 400 CCTV cameras across the Western Railway network. Investigators traced Suvarna to Panvel within hours and arrested him. The weapon used in the attack has not yet been recovered. GRP officials have recorded statements from two eyewitnesses who came forward.
Mayank's father, Ramesh Lohar, expressed deep anguish over the brutal attack, questioning how the accused was able to carry a knife onto a crowded suburban train. "He killed my son; he took his life. He should also be hanged," Ramesh Lohar said, demanding the death penalty to bring peace to his family.
Family members also criticized the other passengers in the compartment for not intervening to save Mayank or apprehend the attacker. A cousin of the victim noted that instead of overpowering the accused, co-travellers filmed the attack on their mobile phones. Mohit Lohar, Mayank's younger brother, said the family was waiting for Mayank to return home from work when the police informed them of the tragedy.
