Schoolgirl jumps off moving train near CSMT after man enters ladies compartment, refuses to leave

A 13-year-old girl, fearing molestation, jumped off a running local between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and Masjid stations on Sunday morning after a man entered the ladies compartment.

The incident took place at 10 am yesterday when the class VIII student was travelling to her tuitions in a Kalyan-bound train. Being a Sunday, the ladies compartment was completely empty.

According to an official with CSMT railway police, an unidentified man boarded the ladies compartment as the train was leaving CSMT. The man refused to leave even after the teen told him he had got in the wrong compartment.

The girl, Payal Kamble, started panicking after the man directed her to stay silent and slowly made her way towards her. Fearing the worst, she jumped out of the moving train while it was travelling towards Masjid station.

Kamble, incidentally, had also tried to pull the chain before jumping, but to no avail.

Luckily, some railway workers witnessed her fall and rushed to help. They brought her back to CSMT and alerted the Government Railway Police (GRP), who rushed her to St George’s Hospital.

Kamble reportedly fractured her foot and received 20 stitches on her head due to the fall, but is currently out of danger.

Officials, meanwhile, have recorded her statement and booked the unidentified man under IPC sections 354 (molestation), 338 (causing grievous hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others) as well as relevant sections of POSCO and Railways Act.

Police are now examining the CCTV footage of both CSMT and Masjid stations to identify the man.

The incident comes just two days after a homeless man tried to masturbate in front of a 23-year-old travelling from Nalasopara to CSMT.

The woman was in the adjacent compartment, separated by railings. However, she recorded the incident on her phone and complained to railway police after alighting. The man was arrested today.