He could have died because a robber wanted his cellphone

Abdul Madani fell from a moving train after he was hit by a man on the tracks; his trauma brings to light this growing threat to Mumbai's commuters

He could have died because a robber wanted his cellphone

Abdul Madani fell from a moving train after he was hit by a man on the tracks; his trauma brings to light this growing threat to Mumbai's commuters

In what can only be called a miracle, a man who fell from a moving train on Sunday evening survived to tell the tale with just nine stitches on his hand. Abdul Madani was standing at the door of a Kurla-bound train approaching Sandhurst Road station, when a robber waiting on the tracks struck him with a sharp weapon. The impact pushed Madani on to the tracks and he suffered serious injuries to his palm.

Madani, who lives in Goregaon, said, "I was fixing the ear phone of my cellphone, when this robber hit me. I lost balance and fell on the tracks. I somehow managed to reach the platform of Sandhurst Road station. My clothes were drenched in blood. Some commuters helped me to the stationmaster's office, from where I was taken to JJ Hospital. I had to take nine stitches, but I can't believe that I am alive."

Cases on the rise

Madani's plight has become a familiar threat for Mumbai's train commuters.

In a similar incident on March 26, Sharad Rai (30), a law student travelling to Churchgate, was also attacked for his cellphone. Luckily, Rai didn't fall off and his phone fell inside the train.

"I was standing near the door and at around 2.35 pm, when the train neared Mahim station, I saw a man standing on the platform. He hit me on the right hand in which I was carrying my phone. But the phone fell inside. Passengers collected the pieces strewn all over the floor. I am lucky I did not fall on the tracks," said Rai.

GRP Commissioner

A K Sharma said, "There have been several complaints about this kind of trouble, especially near Bandra station, which has slums nearby. There are usually no complaints near Sandhurst Road station. We have posted permanent GRP staff in the problematic areas to track the culprits. However, we will intensify our patrolling."

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