19 January,2018 05:00 PM IST | Mumbai | Suraj Ojha
Victim Pawan Bhamodkar
If this railway passenger is to be believed, then it seems that the cops have forgotten their duty. In an extreme case of callousness, two RPF constables failed to nab three thieves even after they were caught red-handed trying to steal the victim's phone. The passenger, Pawan Bhamodkar, has filed a complaint in the case and also one against the constables, who according to him literally helped the thieves to escape. The FIR in the matter was registered on Thursday. The incident took place on December 14, when Bhamodkar, who works as a driver, was travelling from Kalyan to CSMT.
Caught stealing phone
Speaking to mid-day, Bhamodkar said, "I was travelling in the general compartment, when three men boarded the train from Byculla station around 11.15 pm. As I was extremely tired, I dozed off after sometime. Suddenly I realised that someone was trying to cut open my pockets with a sharp object. I immediately woke up and caught hold of one of the accused trying to steal my mobile phone. According to Bhambodkar, the other two accused, who were sitting next to the main culprit, suddenly got up from their seats and moved towards one of the gates.
Accused escape
"When I spotted two RPF constables at the Sandhurst Road station, I asked one of the passengers, who was getting down, to call them. Later, one constable left with two of the suspects and the other one stayed back in the train. However, instead of doing his duty, he asked me to hold the accused tightly so that he doesn't run away. Unfortunately, just before the train chugged into CSMT station, the accused jumped off and escaped. I was shocked that instead of helping me, the constable warned me that I would face action if the accused got injured while escaping," he added.
Thereafter, the victim approached the GRP and lodged a complaint in the matter and also mentioned that the RPF constables did not help them in the situation when they could have. A police officer said, "An FIR has been registered against the three unknown accused under Sections 511, 379 and 34 of IPC. Further investigation into the case is on." Confirming the incident, S D Shinde, senior inspector, CSMT GRP, said, "If it's true that the cops did not help the victim, then we'll send a report in the matter to their seniors."
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