Three Youths Fatally Struck by Goods Train in Palghar; Families Allege Police Involvement
A devastating incident unfolded near Palghar railway station on Friday evening, resulting in the tragic deaths of three young men. The victims were run over by a goods train around 7:20pm, sending shockwaves through the local community and sparking serious allegations against law enforcement.
Details of the Deceased and the Immediate Aftermath
The deceased have been identified as Swapnil Shailesh Palande (23), Kunal Kumar Dubla (23), and Afroz Khalil Sheikh (28). All three were residents of Virendra Nagar in Palghar East and were reportedly engaged in odd jobs for their livelihood.
According to the Palghar Government Railway Police (GRP), the youths were running on the railway tracks when they were struck by the goods train. GRP personnel swiftly responded to the scene upon receiving information about the accident. The bodies were recovered and transported to a government hospital for post-mortem examination before being handed over to their grieving families.
Families' Allegations and Community Tension
The incident has triggered significant tension in the locality, with relatives and local residents demanding a thorough and impartial investigation. Family members have made a disturbing claim: they allege that the youths were being chased by police personnel in plain clothes, which forced them to run onto the railway tracks where they met their tragic end.
"Locals said policemen in plainclothes were chasing them. In an attempt to escape, they ran onto the tracks and were run over by the goods train," stated a relative of one of the deceased. Another relative, Darshana, corroborated this account, asserting that the youths were pursued by police officers in civil dress shortly before the fatal accident occurred.
Official Statements and Investigation Status
Senior inspector Sachin Ingavale of the Palghar GRP confirmed that the matter is currently under investigation. He added that officials have spoken with the loco pilot of the goods train, who provided a statement indicating that the youths were crossing the tracks from the west side to the east when the accident took place.
Police also revealed a critical detail: there was no CCTV camera installed near the exact spot where the accident occurred, potentially complicating the investigation. Officials noted that the goods train was traveling from Mumbai towards Gujarat, while an express train was simultaneously passing on the adjacent track from Gujarat to Mumbai at the time of the incident.
The GRP has registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) in connection with the case. As the investigation proceeds, the community remains on edge, seeking answers and justice for the three young lives lost in this heartbreaking tragedy.
