Disabled man dies after being allegedly pushed from moving local train in Mumbai

The accused in a hood in the custody of the Bandra Government Railway Police. Pics/By Special Arrangement

A 64-year-old disabled man, Cajetan Denis Pires, died after he was allegedly pushed from a Divyangjan coach of a moving local train on Thursday afternoon. The Bandra Government Railway Police (GRP) has registered an FIR in the matter under Section 103 (1) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

According to a railway report, the incident occurred around 1.22 pm when the Churchgate-Borivli slow local, service number 90467, was moving between Mahim and Bandra. As per a police official, Passengers from the coach handed over the alleged accused to railway police upon arrival of the train on Platform 1, informing the latter that they had witnessed him pushing the victim out of the coach.

[popcorn number="1.22 pm" desc="Time Pires was pushed on Thursday" class="Default"]

Following the alert, Sub-Inspector Arun Kumar Pandey, accompanied by railway staff and GRP personnel, rushed to kilometre 14/03 between the two stations. They found the man lying unconscious beside the tracks. Pires was brought to Bhabha Hospital at around 2.05 pm. However, he was declared dead around an hour later, police said.

Based on eyewitness statements, the GRP has arrested 48-year-old Amjad Safruddin Sheikh. According to the police, Sheikh told investigators that he lived on a footpath near a Dargah in Marine Lines and was heading to Borivli to have some ‘free khichdi'.

‘Authorities must wake up'

‘I am deeply concerned by repeated incidents on Mumbai suburban trains where able-bodied passengers are travelling in coaches reserved for persons with disabilities. This encroachment led to dangerous situations and even assaulted disabled passengers. I urge Railway officials to treat these recent incidents as a wake-up call: enforce prevention strictly, ensure prompt action against violators, and take immediate steps to protect vulnerable passengers'
- Samir Zaveri, activist and 90 per cent disabled citizen

The incident

As per a police officer, eyewitnesses have stated that Pires boarded the coach at Mahim. Pires, who has an amputated leg, asked Sheikh to give up his seat. Sheikh allegedly refused, which led to an argument. Before Pires was allegedly pushed out of the coach, he was allegedly standing near the door, heckling Sheikh (who was seated) from behind. "Sheikh allegedly pushed Pires at this moment, subsequent to which Pires allegedly lost balance and fell out of the coach," stated a police officer.

The investigation

A forensic team was called to examine the spot and collect evidence, said a police official. Further action, including changes in the legal sections, might follow as the forensic examination and other procedures proceed. Pires's kin said he had been an amputee for decades. Pires, a homeless resident of Santacruz, had no immediate family.