The incident reportedly took place around 2.30 am on Sunday near Salpa station, close to Lonand in Maharashtra’s Satara district. Preliminary estimates suggest that gold jewellery worth approximately Rs 2 lakh was stolen in the robbery, once again raising concerns over the safety of railway passengers.
Robbers Suspected of Tampering with Signal System to Stop Train
According to information received, the Mahalaxmi Express was passing through the Salpa station area when the signal system was allegedly deliberately disrupted, causing the train to stop suddenly.
Before passengers could understand what had happened, a gang of five to six robbers reportedly took advantage of the situation and entered the reserved coaches.
The gang members entered the S-2, S-3 and S-5 coaches and targeted women passengers, most of whom were asleep at the time.
The incident created panic inside the train, with passengers caught off guard by the sudden robbery.
Gold Jewellery Stolen from Two Women Passengers
The women identified as Sunita Gorakshnath Tupe, a resident of Kanjurmarg East in Mumbai, and Surekha Bachasaheb Khade, a resident of Khopoli in Raigad, reportedly lost their gold jewellery in the incident.
Sunita Tupe was travelling to Kolhapur to attend a family function.
According to reports, the robbers snatched jewellery worn by the women by reaching through the windows or using the window openings to gain access.
The preliminary estimate puts the value of the stolen jewellery at approximately Rs 2 lakh.
Stone Pelting Reported as Passengers Attempt to Chase Robbers
After the jewellery was snatched, some passengers reportedly attempted to chase the robbers.
However, the accused allegedly pelted stones at the train, creating further panic among passengers.
Taking advantage of the darkness, the robbers subsequently fled from the spot.
Possibility of Two Groups Involved in the Robbery
Investigating agencies are also considering the possibility that two groups of robbers were involved in the incident.
According to the preliminary suspicion, one group may have travelled aboard the train posing as passengers, while the other group may have arranged to stop the train by disrupting the signal system.
However, investigators are yet to establish whether the robbery was part of a pre-planned conspiracy or how the signal system was allegedly disrupted.
Railway Police Launch Investigation
Following the incident, railway police launched a search operation to trace the robbers.
A case has reportedly been registered at the Miraj Railway Police Station, and a police team has been dispatched to Satara district as part of the investigation.
The incident has raised concerns over passenger safety, particularly during the festive season, when railway travel sees increased movement.
If the suspicion that the train was deliberately stopped by disrupting the signal system is established, the incident could raise serious questions about railway security arrangements.
The investigation is expected to establish the exact sequence of events, the method used to stop the train and the identities of those involved in the robbery.
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