The victim, identified as Mayank Lohar, a clothing store staffer from Virar, was travelling in a first-class coach of a Churchgate–Nalasopara local train when the incident occurred between Goregaon and Malad stations. The accused, Roshan Suvarna (30) from Mira-Bhayander, has been arrested.
Argument over train door turns violent
According to police, both men boarded the train at Andheri station around 10:42 pm and were standing near the coach door, which was shut due to heavy rainfall.
Suvarna allegedly opened the door, causing rainwater to splash onto passengers. Lohar objected and closed it again, which triggered an argument between the two men.
The dispute escalated into a minor scuffle after which other passengers intervened and separated them. Both were moved towards different exits of the coach.
However, police said Suvarna felt humiliated after being manhandled by fellow commuters and blamed Lohar for the incident.
Return attack inside the coach
Despite being separated, Suvarna allegedly pulled out a large knife from his bag and returned to attack Lohar inside the coach. He stabbed him multiple times in the chest and abdomen while passengers watched in shock.
Lohar collapsed and lost consciousness soon after the attack.
As the train approached Borivli station, Suvarna reportedly jumped off and fled the scene.
Arrest after CCTV tracking
Borivli Government Railway Police (GRP) launched a search operation involving seven teams and reviewed footage from nearly 400 CCTV cameras.
Police traced Suvarna leaving Borivli West station and taking an auto-rickshaw towards his residence. He was later tracked down and arrested in Panvel while allegedly attempting to escape to his hometown in Karnataka.
Officials said he had not spoken to anyone after the incident and was planning to flee.
Investigation underway
Police are probing whether Suvarna was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident. They also said the knife used in the attack has not yet been recovered. Suvarna reportedly told investigators he had purchased it online for a friend.
Preliminary checks have not revealed any prior criminal record against him.
Passenger safety concerns rise
The killing has once again raised concerns about safety in Mumbai’s suburban railway network, which carries millions of commuters daily. Just months earlier, another passenger had been pushed onto the tracks following a dispute near Borivli and Kandivli stations.
Commuter groups have demanded stricter security measures, including metal detectors, baggage screening at stations, automatic door-closing systems in trains, and AI-based CCTV surveillance.
However, railway officials have cited operational challenges due to the massive daily passenger volume. Unlike metro systems with controlled entry points, suburban railways lack turnstile gates and individual screening, making enforcement difficult.
Authorities say the absence of access control remains the biggest security challenge in the system.
The investigation into the stabbing is ongoing.
