Tragedy on Mumbai Local: Man Loses Legs After Brutal Mobile Snatching Incident in Thane District

We begin this bulletin with news of a deeply tragic and shocking incident that has shaken commuters near Mumbai. The incident unfolded on the local railway line between Shahad and Ambivli stations in Thane district — an area notorious for petty thefts but rarely for something this horrifying.

Eyewitnesses reported that a regular passenger, waiting at the door of a moving suburban train — as is common with crowded Mumbai locals — became the target of a mobile phone thief. In a split second, the thief snatched the man’s mobile phone and, in his desperate attempt to escape, dragged the victim from the train.

Caught off balance, the passenger fell onto the tracks. In an instant, the unthinkable happened: his legs came under the wheels of the speeding train. As the victim lay grievously injured, the thief seized the moment not just to rob him, but to make a quick escape.

Police and railway authorities rushed to the scene, and the man, losing a significant amount of blood, was taken to the hospital. Doctors say it is almost certain that he will lose one or both legs, a life-changing and devastating injury for someone simply going about their daily commute.

A Worrying Trend in Mumbai’s Local Railways

Mobile snatching is not new on Mumbai’s local railways, which together form the lifeblood of the city’s transportation. But this incident highlights the dangers that ordinary people face. According to recent data, more than 26,000 mobile phones have been stolen from Mumbai suburban trains over the last 30 months—amounting to property loss worth over ₹62 crore between January 2023 and May 2025.

Despite efforts from enforcement — with around 45% of such cases solved — hotspots for these crimes remain, especially in crowded sections where passengers often stand near the doors, easy prey for thieves who can quickly snatch and flee, sometimes jumping off as the train slows near stations.

Community in Shock, Authorities Under Pressure

This case stands out for its sheer brutality. A man who did nothing more than use his phone on his commute may now spend the rest of his life coping with a severe disability, simply because of opportunistic criminal violence. Local residents and passengers are demanding increased security, better patrolling, and tougher action against offenders.

The police have launched an intense manhunt for the accused, combing through CCTV footage and gathering eyewitness accounts.

Recurring Dangers for the Ordinary Commuter

Incidents like these underscore the vulnerability of Mumbai’s local train passengers. Faced with routine overcrowding and a lack of enforcement in critical stretches, many are now calling for not only more vigilance but also infrastructural upgrades like CCTV installations, platform barriers, and stricter policing at recognized theft hotspots.

For now, Thane district and Mumbai’s wider railway network are reeling from a tragedy that could have happened to anyone. As the victim fights for survival in hospital, his story is a cautionary tale — and a grim reminder of the urgent need for safety reforms in one of the world’s busiest urban railway systems.