A shocking incident on a crowded Mumbai local train has left the education community reeling: a 33-year-old junior college teacher was fatally stabbed following a brief dispute over alighting at a station.
In a disturbing case of road rage-like violence spilling into public transport, a mathematics and statistics lecturer from Narsee Monjee College of Commerce and Economics was murdered on Saturday evening aboard a Borivali-bound local train. The victim, Alok Singh, 33, sustained a single deep stab wound to the abdomen during an altercation just as the train approached Malad railway station around 6 pm.
According to police, Singh boarded the train at Vile Parle station after finishing his day at the college in Vile Parle. As the train neared Malad—his intended stop—a disagreement erupted with a fellow passenger regarding who should exit the compartment first or the manner of alighting. The confrontation escalated rapidly: the assailant, described as an unidentified co-traveller, allegedly pulled out a sharp object and stabbed Singh in the stomach before fleeing the train upon arrival at the platform.
Commuters rushed the injured teacher to Babasaheb Ambedkar Hospital in nearby Kandivali, where doctors declared him brought dead on arrival. A hospital spokesperson confirmed the cause as knife injuries.
Investigators from the Borivali Government Railway Police (GRP) have registered a murder case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita against the unknown perpetrator. Officers are questioning eyewitnesses from the compartment who observed the argument and the attack, while also reviewing CCTV footage from Malad station and preceding stops. Forensic teams collected evidence at the scene late Saturday, with assistance from a canine unit.
Colleagues remembered Singh as a gentle, composed individual who joined the junior college faculty in 2024. One fellow teacher described him as “a kind soul, calm and polite,” noting that he actively mediated disputes rather than engaging in them. Singh reportedly left campus between 5:15 pm and 5:30 pm that evening to head home.
Family members portrayed him as exceptionally mild-mannered. A relative told reporters, “He was a simple person and we had never seen him get angry over anything.” Married just a couple of years ago, Singh resided in Malad East with his wife. His father reportedly works for BJP leader Rajnath Singh in Delhi, and an uncle is also a teacher.
Local BJP representatives visited the hospital overnight following the incident. Police continue their search for the fugitive suspect, urging anyone with information to come forward.