Inside the Final Train Journey of Alok Singh: A Colleague's Heart-Wrenching Testimony
In a deeply personal and emotional recollection, Sudhir Trivedi, a fellow lecturer at N M College, has shared the chilling details of the last moments he spent with his colleague, mathematics teacher Alok Singh, before Singh was fatally stabbed on a Mumbai local train. The tragic incident occurred at Malad station on a Saturday evening, leaving the educational community and the city in shock.
The Fateful Evening Commute
Sudhir Trivedi and Alok Singh, both educators at N M College in Vile Parle, were returning home after work. Although their schedules did not always align for daily travel together, that particular evening, they shared a rickshaw to Andheri station and boarded a Borivali-bound local train. Trivedi recalled a seemingly innocuous moment that now haunts him: he had suggested stopping for tea outside the station, but Singh, in a hurry, declined the offer. This small decision would later weigh heavily on Trivedi's mind, as he pondered whether a brief delay might have altered the tragic outcome.
The Sudden and Brutal Attack
As the train approached Malad station between 5:30 PM and 6:00 PM, the compartment was crowded, as expected during peak hours. Singh positioned himself near the door in the gangway, preparing to disembark at his stop. Trivedi stood further inside, heading towards Nalasopara. Just before the train halted, a fellow passenger abruptly demanded that Singh move aside to allow him to exit. Singh politely explained that a woman passenger was blocking the way ahead of him.
In a shocking turn of events, the man suddenly attacked Singh. Initially, Trivedi mistook the assault for a punch to the stomach, but he soon realized it was a stabbing. The assailant immediately jumped off the train and fled the scene. Trivedi's instinct was to chase after him, but he was called back by Singh's voice from behind.
Frantic Efforts to Save a Life
Turning back, Trivedi was met with a horrifying sight: blood gushing from Singh's wound. Without hesitation, he rushed to his colleague's aid, pressing his handkerchief against the injury in a desperate attempt to stem the bleeding. He shouted to bystanders on the foot-over bridge, urging them to stop the attacker, but in the chaos, his cries went largely unnoticed or misunderstood.
Some compassionate passengers on the platform stepped forward, offering their own handkerchiefs to help control the bleeding. Together, they moved Singh to a bench on the platform, but within minutes, he lost consciousness. The police arrived shortly after and transported him to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Assisting the Investigation
Trivedi provided the police with a detailed physical description of the attacker based on his fleeting glimpse during the incident. Later that night, around midnight, he was shown CCTV footage from the station and successfully identified the suspect. This crucial testimony has become a key element in the ongoing investigation into the senseless violence that claimed Singh's life.
Reflecting on the tragedy, Trivedi expressed profound grief and lingering regret. "Even now, I keep thinking that if we had stopped for tea for just a few minutes, this might never have happened," he shared, highlighting the random and brutal nature of the attack that has left a void in the lives of Singh's family, friends, and students.
This incident has reignited concerns about safety and rising violence on Mumbai's bustling local trains, a lifeline for millions of commuters daily. As the city mourns the loss of a dedicated educator, Trivedi's account serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the urgent need for enhanced security measures in public transport systems.
