Mumbai’s suburban railway network has once again come under scrutiny over passenger safety after a shocking incident of mobile snatching in a running local train. In the latest case, a youth who tried to resist a robbery was pushed out of a moving Badlapur fast local train, resulting in a horrific accident in which his leg was severed under the wheels of the train.
The incident left the victim critically injured, and he is currently battling for his life at Mumbai’s KEM Hospital. The Kalyan Government Railway Police (GRP) have arrested the accused, identified as Kailash Balkrishna Jadhav. The victim has been identified as Ritesh Rakesh Yerunkar (30).
According to railway police, Ritesh is a resident of Anand Nagar in Badlapur East and works at a clothing store in a private mall located at Shivud in Thane district. On the night of January 18, 2026, after finishing his work, Ritesh reached Thane railway station as part of his daily routine. At around 11:05 pm, he boarded the first luggage compartment of a Badlapur-bound fast local train.
As the train was departing from platform number 1 of Ambernath station at around 11:45 pm, a man sitting near Ritesh suddenly snatched his mobile phone. When Ritesh attempted to resist and retrieve his phone, the accused gave him a forceful push. Due to the impact, Ritesh lost his balance and fell from the moving train.
During the fall, his left leg came onto the railway track and was run over by the train wheels, leading to amputation near the knee. He also sustained serious injuries, including a severe head injury at the back of his head, a deep wound on his left cheek, and significant swelling around one eye.
Railway police personnel present at the station rushed Ritesh to Ulhasnagar Central Hospital for immediate medical attention. Due to his critical condition, he was later referred to Mumbai’s KEM Hospital, where he is currently admitted to the surgical emergency ward.
The GRP have registered a case against the accused under relevant sections of law and further investigation is underway.
The incident has triggered widespread anger among commuters. Serious questions are being raised about the effectiveness of security arrangements, patrolling, and CCTV surveillance, especially in late-night suburban local trains, with commuters demanding stronger safety measures from the railway administration.