Man attacked, robbed on local train; nabs one suspect

PUNE: Three robbers brutally attacked a 34-year-old man with a knife on finding him alone in the luggage compartment of the Lonavla-Pune local train and robbed him of his cash and gold chain totally worth Rs 31,500. The victim, Shankumar Shashidharan Achari, required 22 stitches on his head. The incident took place between the Talegaon Dabhade and Kanhe Phata railway stations at around 10pm on Monday.
Achari, who runs a small fabrication business, had boarded the train at the Talegaon Dabhade railway station to reach Kanhe Phata, where he lives. The robbers entered the train just after it had started leaving the platform.
Police sub-inspector Shamshuddin Shaikh told TOI that the robbers, on finding Achari alone in the compartment, asked for his belongings. "When Achari refused to part with them, one of the robbers grabbed him while another robber attacked him with a knife on the head and hands. The third robber took his gold chain worth Rs 25,000 and Rs 6,500 cash," he said.
Shaikh said two of the robbers, who had the gold chain and cash with them, jumped off the train as it slowed down at the Kanhe Phata station. However, Achari managed to overpower the robber who had held him even as he was trying to escape.
Shaikh said the robbers inflicted severe injuries on Achari. "He has been admitted to the intensive care unit of Pawana Hospital at Somatane Phata near Talegaon Dabhade. The robber who Achari caught, Salim Gulab Shaikh (40), is jobless and lives at Dehu Road. We are checking his antecedents," he said.
Achari’s brother-in-law Daniel Kamble told TOI over the phone that Achari had dragged Salim out of the train after it stopped on the platform. "He then raised an alarm, following which some villagers came to the station and severely thrashed Salim. Salim was later handed over the government railway police," he said.
Kamble said Achari’s clothes were soaked in blood. "The villagers rushed him in a vehicle to hospital. The police have recorded his statement. He is expected to be discharged in two or three days," he said.
The hospital’s managing director, Dr Satyajit Wadhokar, said Achari has severe injuries on his head, ears and hands. "He was given 22 stitches on the head. However, he is out of danger and is recovering fast," he said.
Police sub-inspector S R Patil, who later took over the probe, said, "We have seized Rs 500 and a purse from Salim, among other articles. We have sent out teams to various places to nab the other two robbers."
Patil said Salim and his aides have been charged under section 397 (robbery or dacoity with attempt to cause death or grievous hurt) read with 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code. A magisterial court on Tuesday remanded Salim in police custody till December 13.
Achari’s sister Usha told TOI that her brother had risked his life and had managed to nab one of the robbers even though he was attacked with a knife. "We have appealed to the railway police to intensify patrolling on local trains to avert similar incidents in future," she said.
Superintendent of police (railways) Vishwa Pansare said the local crime branch of the railways was conducting parallel investigations in the case, which he was personally monitoring.
On November 30, city lawyer Nitin Nisargan (31) had fallen off a moving train after being hit with a stick by two men standing near the railway tracks, around 500 metres from Chinchwad station. After Nisargan fell, the two men robbed him of his cell phone and wrist watch, totally worth Rs 30,000. Nisargan, who lives at Vadgaonsheri, suffered a wrist fracture and an elbow dislocation. The robbers have not been traced yet.