Mumbai: A Maharashtra Security Force (MSF) jawan lost his life after falling from a crowded local train on Friday. The incident, which took place between Malad and Goregaon, has once again raised serious concerns over commuter safety during peak hours.

The deceased has been identified as 31-year-old Ganesh Jagdale, who was attached to the Dahisar police station. According to reports, Jagdale had finished his night duty and boarded a Churchgate-bound local from Dahisar around 8:30 am. The train, packed with commuters during the morning rush hour, left him standing precariously close to the door.

Between Malad and Goregaon stations, Jagdale was reportedly caught in a wave of pushing and jostling inside the compartment. Unable to maintain his balance, he fell off the moving train and landed on the tracks. Gravely injured, he was rushed to Shatabdi Hospital in Kandivali, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.

The Borivali Government Railway Police (GRP) registered a case of accidental death. Jagdale had only recently been transferred from Vanrai police station in Goregaon East to Dahisar police station, where he had joined duty just a day earlier.

This accident adds to a growing list of fatalities caused by overcrowding in Mumbai’s suburban trains. Despite repeated incidents, safety measures remain a major concern, with thousands of daily commuters continuing to risk their lives by travelling on open footboards.

Amid rising criticism, the Indian Railways on Friday announced that a prototype of a closed-door local train has been developed and will soon undergo pilot trials. Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had earlier assured that all newly manufactured trains would be equipped with automatic door-closing systems. Efforts are also being made to retrofit the existing fleet to curb accidents caused by passengers falling from open doors.

The move follows the June 9 Mumbra tragedy, where eight commuters died after falling from a crowded train. Officials stress that automatic door closures will majorly enhance passenger safety and reduce such fatal mishaps.

Belagavi, Oct 4: Tension continued to simmer in Karnataka’s Belagavi city on Saturday following a stone-pelting incident linked to the raising of ‘I Love Muhammad’ slogans.

Police have detained 11 persons and made tight security arrangements across Belagavi city.

The Police Department is on high alert as Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is scheduled to visit the city on Saturday.

According to police, the stone-pelting incident occurred on Friday evening during the ‘Urs’ procession. While the procession was underway, “I Love Muhammad” slogans were raised. When objections were raised, the mob resorted to stone pelting near the Khadak Galli area.

The police also stated that they have obtained video evidence showing youths chanting ‘I Love Muhammad’ slogans and engaging in violence.

The Police further said that the group changed the procession route without permission.

Khade Bazar Police have detained 11 people in connection with the incident and are questioning them. A case has been registered, and further investigation is underway.

Security has been tightened since Friday night, with police patrolling throughout the night, the police said.

A platoon of the Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) has been deployed in the Khade Bazar area. Police have indicated that more persons will be taken into custody in connection with the incident.

Meanwhile, Hindutva activists have put up ‘Har Har Mahadev’ banners in Belagavi city. Taking the situation seriously, police are maintaining a strict vigil.

In another development, an ‘I Love Muhammad’ banner installed at Aland in Kalaburagi district was removed by jurisdictional police on Saturday.

The banner had been put up as part of the Laadle Mashak Dargah urs programme. After receiving information, police rushed to the spot and cleared the banner.

An investigation is ongoing.

Earlier, two groups clashed over an ‘I Love Muhammad’ poster in Davanagere city, further fueling tensions.

Chennai, Oct 4: The Tamil Nadu Police have intensified efforts to trace and arrest N. Satish Kumar, Namakkal district secretary of actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), after he went missing following the dismissal of his anticipatory bail petition, officials said on Saturday.

Two special squads have been formed under the supervision of Inspector Kabilan to locate the absconding TVK functionary, according to official sources.

The action comes after the Madras High Court on Friday denied anticipatory bail to Satish Kumar in connection with a case registered for allegedly attacking a private hospital in Namakkal.

The incident reportedly occurred when TVK leader Vijay was campaigning in the district ahead of the Assembly elections scheduled to be held next year.

Satish Kumar approached the court seeking protection from arrest.

During the hearing, his counsel, advocate A. Murugavel, said that his client was being falsely implicated for political reasons.

“The petitioner has not committed any crime. The case was filed solely because he happened to be present at the location when the incident took place,” Murugavel added.

However, the prosecution strongly opposed the plea, presenting details of damages caused during the unrest.

Police counsel said that TVK cadres had damaged hospital property worth Rs 5 lakh during the incident.

They also said that eight other criminal cases were already pending against Satish Kumar, including charges related to public property destruction.

The police also submitted photographic evidence from the spot to substantiate their claims.

After examining the images, Justice N. Senthilkumar said that as a district-level TVK leader, Satish Kumar, could not disown responsibility for the violent actions of his cadre.

“If party members were engaged in such acts, how can the petitioner claim ignorance? Shouldn’t he have exercised control over them?” the judge remarked before rejecting the anticipatory bail plea.

With the court’s decision, the Namakkal police have stepped up operations to track down Satish Kumar, who has reportedly been untraceable since the judgment.

Officers said that both squads are actively following leads and scanning possible hideouts.

The move is seen as part of a broader crackdown on political violence and property damage during election campaigns.

Authorities indicated that if Satish Kumar fails to surrender, further legal steps, including issuing a lookout notice, could follow.

The police have appealed to the people to share information on his whereabouts confidentially.