Tragedy struck the Worli Local Arms division-3 of Mumbai Police as Constable Vishal Pawar succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday after battling for life in a city hospital for three days. Pawar, a resident of Thane, was allegedly injected with a poisonous substance by a gang of robbers and drug addicts on railway tracks near Matunga on April 28.
According to personnel from the Dadar Government Railway Police (GRP), the incident occurred when Constable Pawar, in his twenties, was on his way to duty aboard a local train in civilian clothes. When the train slowed down between Matunga and Sion stations around 9:30 pm, a person near the tracks struck Pawar’s hand while he was on a call near the door. Pawar’s phone fell, and the thief grabbed it before fleeing.
As the train slowed down further, Pawar disembarked and pursued the thief. However, he was soon surrounded by a gang of alleged robbers and drug addicts who began assaulting him. Despite Pawar’s resistance, one of the assailants injected him with a poisonous substance on his back while others restrained him. They also forced a red liquid into his mouth before fleeing the scene.
Subsequently, Pawar lost consciousness and was discovered the next morning. He managed to return home but was admitted to a Thane hospital by his family on Monday as his condition deteriorated. The Kopri police station recorded his statement, registering a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code.
Sadly, Pawar’s condition continued to worsen, leading to his demise on Wednesday. Deputy Commissioner of Police, Central Railway, Manoj Patil, confirmed the tragic news, indicating that the case has been transferred to the Dadar GRP for further investigation. Efforts are underway to add IPC section 302 (murder), with multiple teams formed to apprehend the culprits.
Constable Vishal Pawar, who joined the police department in 2015, leaves behind his wife and parents in Chalisgaon, Jalgaon. His body has been taken to his village for the final rites. The cause of death is yet to be determined by doctors, as investigations into this heartbreaking incident continue.
