Informers, porters join hunt for CST attacker

The railway police have alerted their informants to look out for the accused who assaulted and robbed 23-year-old Priyanka Kumar on Sunday while she was travelling in the women’s compartment of a local train after it left Masjid Bunder station for Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus.

The railway police have alerted their informants to look out for the accused who assaulted and robbed 23-year-old Priyanka Kumar on Sunday while she was travelling in the women’s compartment of a local train after it left Masjid Bunder station for Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus.

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The police have also enquired with porters and bootleggers for information on the accused, and have circulated a sketch of the accused. Though Hindustan Times has the sketch, it is not being published as the police believe the assailant is a minor.

“We suspect that the attacker has sustained injuries or is scared to step out of his house. One thing is sure, if he is seen anywhere near the railway premises, he will be arrested. There are several railway policemen, informants and others who are searching for him,” said Bapu Thombre, assistant commissioner of police. Thombre said that the accused does not appear to be over 14 years old.

Kumar was returning home from Wellingkar Institute of Management in Matunga after attending lectures on Sunday early evening. She was alone in the women’s compartment when the accused boarded the train at Masjid Bunder at around 5.50pm. “I was tired and hence reacted a little late when he asked me [in Hindi] to hand over cash and valuables. I was angry and decided to fight. I slapped him and in retaliation he attacked me with a razor blade. I sustained injuries on hands, forehead, close to the eye and other places,” said Kumar.

The accused then jumped off the train, while Kumar approached the CST railway police station where a case has been registered.