Woman who resisted molestation at Naigaon station pushed under local train, loses left arm

A young woman who resisted molestation was pushed under a local train at Naigaon railway station in the Vasai-Virar area on November 4. She lost her left arm at the elbow in the incident.

According to the complaint by the victim, the local train running from Borivali towards Virar had arrived at Naigaon station when the accused behaved indecently with her. She protested and hit the accused with her slipper. The two then had an argument.

The train was standing at the platform at the time. According to the complaint, the accused shoved the woman hard with both hands and she fell from between two coaches straight onto the track. She was trying to climb back onto the platform when the train started moving. Her left arm came under the wheel of the train and she was seriously injured. Doctors had to amputate her arm at the elbow during treatment. After the incident, the accused had fled the spot, taking advantage of the crowd.

A case was registered in the matter on November 6 at Bhayandar Railway Police Station. It was initially registered under Sections 74, 117(2) and 352 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The victim's family says that since the accused pushed the woman under the train, Section 109, attempt to murder, should also be applied.

Office-bearers of the MNS met senior Railway Police officers on this demand. They also demanded that the necessary sections be added in the case. Meanwhile, police have arrested the accused, Jitendra Hirmukhe. He has been sent to judicial custody.

Despite the arrest, the question of security at Naigaon station remains unanswered. It is alleged that not a single security guard is posted at the station even after such a serious incident. Passengers are worried about this. Questions are being raised about what arrangements the railway administration has made, especially for the safety of women passengers.

Police have declined to speak on camera about the incident. Questions are therefore also being raised about the role of the railway administration and security agencies. A young woman had to pay such a heavy price for resisting molestation. If security at Naigaon station has still not improved, people are asking who will take responsibility for the safety of passengers.