Palghar News: Woman Assaulted In Mumbai Local, Alleges Police Took Bribe To Bury Case; Probe Ordered

Palghar, Maharashtra: A shocking incident of a woman being brutally assaulted inside a crowded Mumbai local train has come to light, sparking public outrage and raising serious allegations of a police cover-up. The Vasai Railway Police are accused of accepting a bribe to suppress the case and dissuade the victim from filing an official complaint.

The assault occurred on June 17 aboard a Churchgate-Virar local train. The victim, Kavita Mendhkar (31), a resident of Virar East, was reportedly struck on the head with a mobile phone by Jyoti Singh (21), a resident of Naigaon East, during a dispute over boarding the train. Kavita was left bleeding profusely from the attack.

Despite the severity of her injuries, no formal police complaint was lodged at the time. The incident gained public attention only after a video clip surfaced on social media on Friday, prompting widespread condemnation and questions about police conduct. 

When asked why she didn’t file a complaint, Mendhkar disclosed troubling details. “Both of us were taken to the police station. I was extremely shaken,” she recalled. “Initially, the officers encouraged me to file a case, but later they intimidated me, saying that filing a complaint would lead to endless court appearances and hefty legal fees. They offered to have my broken mangalsutra repaired with money collected from Jyoti. Out of fear and anxiety, I agreed and didn’t even inform my family.” She further alleged that the woman who attacked her was fined ₹5,000, but she received only ₹2,000 as compensation for her mangalsutra, while the remaining amount was allegedly pocketed by the police.

Senior Police Inspector Bhagwan Dange of Vasai Railway Police Station has denied the allegations. "These accusations have come up three days after the incident, which makes them questionable," he stated. "We recorded statements from both women, who mutually agreed not to file a complaint. Therefore, only a station diary entry was made."

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However, Railway Police Commissioner Rakesh Kalasagar has taken the matter seriously and ordered a full investigation into the allegations of bribery and misconduct. "The entire case will be thoroughly probed," he confirmed.

The incident has ignited widespread criticism concerning police accountability and the ongoing safety of women within Mumbai’s suburban train network, often referred to as the city's lifeline.