In a major breakthrough in the investigation into the murder of Mayank Lohar, who was killed aboard a Churchgate–Nalasopara local train, on Monday, the Railway Police Force (RPF) recovered the knife allegedly used by the accused, Roshan Suvarna, to stab the victim.
The weapon was recovered between Borivali and Dahisar railway stations, police told NTT.
Confirming the recovery, Western Railway Deputy Commissioner of Police Sunita Salunkhe Thakare said that after committing the crime, Roshan "allegedly threw the knife" near a hotel located between Borivali and Dahisar stations while fleeing home.
The knife was discovered on Monday by three employees of the hotel, who contacted the Railway Police after recognizing its significance from a viral video of the incident and handed it over to the authorities.
During the investigation, police confirmed that the recovered knife was the same weapon used in the murder. It has since been seized.
However, due to heavy rainfall, bloodstains on the knife had been washed away. The Railway Police are now preparing to send the weapon for forensic examination.
The accused, Roshan Suvarna, is scheduled to be produced before the court again today. The Railway Police are expected to seek an extension of his custody for further investigation.
Meanwhile, the fatal attack inside a moving local train has raised serious concerns over passenger safety and railway security. Following the incident, Senior Police Inspector Dutta Khuprekar of the
Borivali Railway Police Station, who was also the investigating officer in the case, was transferred. The decision was taken by the GRP Police Commissioner after a security review meeting held on Friday.
Pandharinath Kande has been appointed as the new Senior Inspector of the Borivali Railway Police Station.
According to sources, disciplinary action against a few more officials may follow in the coming days.
