‘It was my birthday, he never came home’: Wife speaks after professor stabbed to death on Mumbai local train

It was my birthday My husband told me he would leave early take me out for dinner and celebrate with me I was waiting at home but he never camerdquo said Pooja Alok Singh the wife of 31yearold mathematics professor Alok Kumar Singh who was stabbed to death inside a local train on Saturday eveningldquoInstead the police called and said my husband had met with a train accident When we reached the hospital he was already dead My family initially hid the truth from me mdash that he had not died in an accident but had been killed by someone inside the trainrdquo she said breaking down while speakingBirthday plans failedAlok Singh lived with his wife at Pratap Nagar SRA Society in Kurar Village Malad East where the couple had been renting a flat for the past three years following their marriage He was born in the same building and lived there all his lifeAlok Kumar Singh the mathematics professor who was stabbed to death inside a local train at MaladldquoHe left college one hour early that day because we had planned to go outrdquo Pooja said ldquoUsually he reaches Malad around 630 pm but that evening he arrived at 530 pmrdquoShe said she collapsed after learning of his death at the hospitalldquoAll my happiness has been taken away The accused killed my husband He deserves the strictest punishmentrdquo she saidAlok was the son of Anil Singh who works for Defence Minister Rajnath SinghlsquoHe never foughtrsquoAlokrsquos sister Pooja Sandeep Singh described him as calm and softspokenRelatives and neighbours gather to perform Alok Singhrsquos final rites at Vadarpada in Kandivli East on Sunday PICSatej ShindeldquoMy brother was not someone who got into arguments or fights He was gentle by nature We cannot understand how something like this could happen to himrdquo she saidldquoIt has been only three years since his marriage Just a few days ago I was teasing him and telling him I wanted a niece Today we are left asking how to live without himrdquoAunt echoes griefldquoHe was a quiet child even while growing up He had an MSc degree was highly educated and taught mathematics We cannot understand what anger drove someone to stab himrdquo she saidFamily questions delayThe victimrsquos family has questioned whether delays in medical assistance contributed to his deathPooja Alok Singh wife of the deceased who got married to Alok three years ago right Pooja Sandeep Singh sister of the deceased PicsShirish VaktanialdquoHe was alive for a long time after the stabbingrdquo said a relative ldquoWhy was he not rushed to the nearest hospital immediatelyrdquoPooja Sandeep Singh sister of the victim asked ldquoHow did he die Why wasnrsquot he taken to hospital faster How was he allowed to bleed for so longrdquoAccording to relatives Singh remained seated on the platform for nearly half an hour while waiting for an ambulanceldquoIf he had been taken immediately to the hospital outside Malad station he might have survivedrdquo said his brotherinlaw Sandeep SinghThe family also raised concerns over security lapses questioning how the accused was able to carry a sharp metal tool inside a local trainPolice explanationResponding to the allegations Senior Police Inspector Dutta Khupekar of the Borivli GRP said there was no procedural delay by policeldquoOur officers did not conduct any formalities at the platform The victim was made to sit only while waiting for the ambulancerdquo he saidldquoThe ambulance arrival was delayed by 15 to 20 minutes due to peakhour traffic Another 10 minutes were required to shift the patient inside the ambulance followed by 15 to 20 minutes to reach the hospitalrdquoldquoWe would never ask an injured person to wait for proceduresrdquo Khupekar addedRemembering AlokAlok Singh had completed his MSc in mathematics and was known as a brilliant student since childhood His wife also a teacher had resumed her postgraduate studies this year after being encouraged by him ldquoHe used to help her with every academic doubtrdquo said a close family memberChildhood friend Deviprasad Shukla remembered him as quiet and kind ldquoWe studied together He always scored above 90 per cent He rarely spoke much but everyone respected him Saturday was his wifersquos birthday and they had planned to celebrate A cousinrsquos engagement was held at his home just a day earlier None of us imagined this would happenrdquoNeighbour Sambhapat Pandey said Alok inspired many youngsters from their native village in Jaunpur to pursue educationldquoHe was helpful educated and lived peacefully with his wife Our entire village is in shockrdquo he saidWomen residents from the society echoed the demand for justice ldquoHe never fought with anyone We have known him since childhood The accused must receive the strictest punishmentrdquo they saidOn Sunday large crowds of relatives and friends gathered at Pratap Nagar SRA Society in Kurar Village for Alok Singhrsquos final ritesVoicesPooja Alok Singh wife of the deceased mathematics professor at their residence in Malad EastlsquoAll my happiness has been taken away The accused killed my husband He deserves the strictest punishmentrsquoDeviprasad Shukla childhood friend of Alok Kumar Singh who described him as quiet and kindlsquoWe studied together He always scored above 90 per cent He rarely spoke much but everyone respected him Saturday was his wifersquos birthday and they had planned to celebrate A cousinrsquos engagement was held at his home a day earlierrsquoPooja Sandeep Singh sister of Alok Kumar SinghlsquoMy brother was not someone who got into arguments or fights He was gentle by nature We cannot understand how something like this could have happenedto himrsquoSambhapat Pandey neighbour and relative of Alok Kumar Singh at the family residence in Kurar VillagelsquoHe was helpful educated and lived peacefully with his wife Our entire village is in shock He never fought or argued with anyone We have known him since childhood The accused must receive the strictest punishment for this crimersquo