Woman attempts suicide twice in 15 mins

Within 15 minutes of attempting to jump off a moving train, a 21-year-old woman set herself on fire outside the Government Railway Police (GRP) station at Sion; HT reports.

Within 15 minutes of attempting to jump off a moving train, a 21-year-old woman set herself on fire outside the Government Railway Police (GRP) station at Sion.

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The woman is suffering from schizophrenia, a mental disorder, Dadar GRP said, adding that she sustained 65% burns and her condition was critical.

According to the railway police, Sameera Aarif Shaikh, a housewife and resident of Abdul Pathan Chawl in Ghatkopar’s Chirag Nagar, boarded a CST-bound slow train on Monday afternoon.

When the train left Kurla station, Shaikh started moving towards the door of the compartment. A few women passengers realised that she intended to jump and stopped her.

“Once the train reached Sion station, the women raised an alarm to alert the GRP. The police took Shaikh and a few other passengers to the police station,” said Prakash Kirdut, senior inspector, Dadar GRP.

“The policemen made Shaikh sit on a bench while they questioned the other women. Suddenly, she lit a matchstick and set herself on fire,” he said, adding that the woman may have been carrying a matchbox.

Policemen doused the fire and took her to Sion hospital, where she is undergoing treatment.

“She has about 65-70% burns on the outside. But she also has inhalation burns and the lining in her lungs has singed,” said Dr Suleman Merchant, dean of Sion Hospital.

The police informed Shaikh’s husband, Aarif, an autorickshaw driver, and called him to record his statement.

Aarif told the police that his wife was suffering from schizophrenia and had been undergoing treatment.

She had attempted suicide earlier by consuming disinfectant and sleeping pills. Shaikh also has a history of leaving her home without informing her family, the police said.

A Redkar, assistant police commissioner, CST division, said they would scan the CCTV footage to ascertain the sequence of events.

The police have registered a case of attempt to suicide against Shaikh under Section 309 of the Indian Penal Code.