‘Our Role Model Is Gone’: Community Mourns Malad Train Stabbing Victim
In the quiet corridors of the Pratap Nagar Slum Redevelopment Authority building in Kurar Village, Malad East, an unsettling silence has replaced the usual hum of daily life. The sudden and violent death of Alok Singh, a 32-year-old lecturer at NM College in Vile Parle, has left his family, neighbours, and colleagues grappling with disbelief and profound grief.
A Birthday Celebration Turned Tragic
On Saturday, January 24, 2026, Alok Singh had planned a special dinner outing with his wife, Pooja, to celebrate her birthday. After completing his work hours at NM College, he informed colleagues about his evening plans and left the campus with his usual travel companion, Sudhir Trivedi. However, the celebration never happened.
“But even before she could get ready for the evening-out, the family received a phone call informing them about Alok’s death – turning the day of celebration into one of mourning,” recounted Lalita Singh, a neighbour of the Singh family.
Alok Singh was stabbed to death while travelling on a Borivali-bound local train that evening. The incident allegedly occurred following an argument with another passenger over disembarking at Malad station.
A Dedicated Educator and Gentle Soul
Alok Singh had been a resident of Malad since childhood, living with his uncle Sunil Kumar Singh, a retired BMC schoolteacher. He entered the teaching profession seven to eight years ago, beginning his career at an international school in Andheri. While teaching, he diligently completed his Bachelor of Education (BEd) and cleared the state government’s Teacher Eligibility Test (TET).
Before joining NM College two years ago, he served as a lecturer at a Malad-based college, teaching mathematics to Class 11 and 12 students. His dedication was evident when he was appointed as a permanent lecturer at NM College last year.
“He was selected in two colleges as permanent lecturer in Thane and Vile Parle but he preferred to work in NM College in Vile Parle and accepted the offer,” shared a relative of Singh.
A Family Steeped in Education
The Singh family places immense value on education, with most members involved in the teaching profession either in Mumbai or Uttar Pradesh. Alok’s father, Anil Kumar Singh, serves in the security detail of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and was in Delhi for Republic Day parade preparations when he received the devastating news about his son.
Alok had married Pooja two years ago. His wife, an aspiring teacher, is currently pursuing her BEd and had been conducting online tuition classes. “All members of this family are well educated, most of them in teaching profession, either here in Mumbai or in UP. It is impossible to believe that any of them could get into such an altercation which could lead to fatal attack,” expressed a family member.
Community in Mourning
On Sunday afternoon, as Alok Singh’s body was brought to the residential premises, residents of the nearly 20-storey building gathered in solemn silence. Some stood with the family in the quadrangle, while others watched from their windows, united in grief.
Sadhna Singh, a resident of the building, remembered Alok as a community role model. “We often held him up as an example for our sons on how to behave. He was always so respectful toward others. I cannot fathom how someone so soft-spoken could be fatally attacked over an altercation on a local train,” she said emotionally.
She added, “After his marriage, he had set another benchmark on how to be a loving and respectful husband.” Neighbours recalled how Alok had celebrated his wife’s birthday at midnight on Friday with a cake and children from the neighbourhood, highlighting his affectionate nature.
Colleagues and Officials Express Shock
Almost the entire staff of NM College, including principal Dr Parag Aajgonkar, visited Singh’s residence to pay their respects. A faculty member described the collective disbelief: “This is unbelievable and extremely saddening to know that a person of such a gentle nature should die like this. Forget about talking back to anyone, he would never even raise voice in the classroom.”
Kapil Patil, former MLC from the Mumbai Teachers Constituency, who visited the grieving family, suggested that the tragedy reflects rising stress among commuters. Kripashankar Singh, former Minister of State for Home, commented on the unusual nature of the incident: “Mumbai has seen gang-wars and other related issues. But the general public was never in harm’s way, especially in local trains. A person who resorts to such an attack has to be abnormal in some way.”
The loss of Alok Singh has created a void not just in his family but across his community and institution, leaving behind memories of a gentle teacher whose life was tragically cut short during what should have been a joyous celebration.
