Relatives of 22-year-old Mayank Lohar, fatally stabbed on a Mumbai suburban train amid an argument about keeping doors open in heavy rain, have called for capital punishment for the suspect, stating only the maximum sentence would bring justice.
“We seek justice. The sentence must be death. I too have lost all, so the penalty should be death,” the victim’s sister stated while the family grieved.
The killing occurred on a packed Churchgate-Nallasopara fast train between Andheri and Borivali stations around 10:50 pm Tuesday. Footage showed the 30-year-old suspect, Sachin Ramesh Suvarna, holding a bloodied knife as the victim lay on the floor.
Authorities detained the man within a day after reviewing recordings from over 400 cameras at several stations.
The clash began when passengers disagreed on closing doors to stop rainwater from entering the first-class section. The dispute turned violent when the suspect allegedly used a blade on the victim’s chest and stomach. He then leapt from the moving train near Borivali and escaped.
Officials reached the coach at Borivali station. The injured man received initial care there before transfer to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Videos of the scene spread quickly online, prompting anger and fresh worries about safety on the city’s rail system. A murder case was filed.
Seven special teams examined footage from Borivali, Andheri, Mira Road and Nallasopara stations plus nearby points. Officers identified and arrested the suspect in Navi Mumbai’s Panvel area on Wednesday.
Police reported he returned home, informed his father of the fight, then tried to leave the city before capture. The weapon remains missing and questioning continues.
This marks the second fatal stabbing on the Western line this year. The case has renewed calls for better security measures.
