Mumbai: Constable murdered after confronting phone thieves

Police Constable Vishal Pawar

The Government Railway Police (GRP) and Mumbai Police have formed around 10 to 12 teams to investigate the murder case of Vishal Pawar, a police constable A few days ago, Pawar was attacked by members of the Fatka gang, which stole his mobile phone. The gang is known to strike the hands of people who talk on the phone while standing on the footboard of local trains, causing them to drop their device. Pawar chased them, but the group then allegedly injected poison into him, leading to his death on Wednesday. The GRP at Dadar have registered a murder case and are investigating the matter.

According to the police, Pawar, 30, was based with the Local Arms Unit division 3 in Worli. Pawar was recruited to the police department in 2015. He was married, and his wife and parents stayed in Chalisgaon in Jalgaon, while Pawar stayed in Thane.

Pawar told the Kopri police that on April 27, he boarded a train from Thane to go to his office. It was around 9 pm when the train was moving slowly between Matunga and Sion Railway station. While standing near the door and talking on his mobile phone, he was suddenly attacked by the Fatka gang, causing his phone to fall. Despite being on a slow train, Pawar attempted to chase the gang but was surprised to encounter around five members. After assaulting him, they injected poison into his back, causing him to lose consciousness. They then gave him some red-coloured liquid, which was also poisoned.

The police said Pawar, who was unconscious for almost 12 hours, woke up to find himself near the tracks. He then walked and took a train to reach home. "On April 29, he was not feeling well and got himself admitted to the Thane-based hospital for treatment. As the case was a serious issue, the hospital authorities informed the Kopri police in Thane who came to take his statement. The Kopri police took the statement but didn't take any serious steps in the matter. On May 1, he passed away. The Kopri police then took the matter seriously and registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code apart from Section 302 (punishment for murder)," said a police officer from the GRP.

The case was transferred to the Government Railway Police in Dadar who have started investigating the matter further. They registered a murder case under Section 302. "We have registered a murder case, and around 10 to 12 teams have been formed comprising officials and staff from Mumbai GRP and Mumbai Police who have started the search operation," said a police officer. Ravindra Shisve, commissioner of Police, Mumbai GRP, confirmed that a murder case has been registered and said further investigation is ongoing.

The GRP is further checking all the CCTV footage to identify the accused. "We suspect these accused are drug addicts. What kind of poison they injected into Pawar is also being investigated. We are obtaining medical details for confirmation. The reason for the death, whether it was due to poison or something else, is also being investigated," said a police officer.

Meanwhile, Pawar, being in critical condition on April 27, was unconscious for two days. Despite being a constable, he didn't inform the police, nor were the railway police aware of any such incident. "Meanwhile, the Kopri police took the case lightly and didn't file a case. It was on May 1, after Pawar's death, that the Kopri police registered a case and transferred it to Dadar GRP," said a police officer.

April 27
Day of the incident