Mumbai: Serial ‘Maskman’ Snatcher Targeting Women in Local Trains Arrested; Gold Worth ₹7.9 Lakh Recovered

The Railway Police’s Local Crime Branch has arrested a habitual offender who targeted women passengers in Mumbai’s suburban local trains by carrying out chain-snatching incidents near the handicapped compartments adjoining ladies coaches. With his arrest, five serious cases registered across different railway police jurisdictions have been detected. Gold ornaments collectively valued at ₹7.90 lakh have been recovered from the accused.

According to police officials, the breakthrough came during the investigation of a case reported on January 29, 2026. At around 8:40 pm, 60-year-old Kirtimala Varadkar was travelling with her elderly husband in the handicapped coach of an Up CSMT slow local train. When the train slowed near the signal between Parel and Curry Road stations, a youth seated nearby suddenly snatched her gold mangalsutra and leapt off the moving train onto the tracks, fleeing under the cover of darkness.

A case was registered at the Dadar Railway Police Station, following which the Crime Branch began a detailed probe. CCTV footage from handicapped coaches was examined, which revealed a masked suspect wearing sports shoes and following a similar pattern in each offence.

During the course of investigation, comparable incidents of mangalsutra snatching were reported from the Thane–Kalwa, Borivali, Nerul–Seawoods and Dombivli railway sections. As the modus operandi matched in all five cases, police concluded that the same individual was responsible. His practice of frequently changing railway sections and escaping by jumping from moving trains had posed a significant challenge to investigators.

Acting on instructions from senior officers, the Crime Branch deployed plainclothes personnel near handicapped coaches adjoining ladies compartments. On February 21, 2026, a trap was laid at Platform No. 1 of Parel railway station. Upon spotting a masked suspect in the handicapped coach of a Down slow local train, the police team boarded the train and apprehended him.

During questioning, the accused identified himself as Parvez Abdul Ahad Khan (29). He allegedly confessed to committing all five chain-snatching offences targeting women commuters in Mumbai’s suburban railway network.

During police custody remand, gold mangalsutras, chains and pendants connected to the cases were recovered at his instance, amounting to ₹7,90,000.

The Railway Police have urged commuters, particularly women passengers, to remain vigilant while travelling in local trains, avoid displaying valuable ornaments, stay alert in crowded compartments and immediately inform the Railway Police about any suspicious activity or untoward incident.