Mystery surrounding the death of a Mumbai police officer, allegedly poisoned by robbers near Matunga Station | Crime news

New Delhi: An FIR has been lodged following the death of police officer Vishal Pawar, 30, who allegedly fell victim to poisoning by robbers near Matunga station. Pawar, posted with the local arms division, died at a Thane hospital on Wednesday. Prior to his death, he made a statement to police describing the events leading to the crime. However, investigators are faced with a baffling lack of concrete evidence in the case.

The Government Railway Police (GRP) initiated proceedings on Thursday after Pawar’s statement revealed that on the night of April 27, while he was on his way to Byculla for duty, he stood on the footboard of a local train and was talking on the phone. A passerby knocked off his phone, which was quickly confiscated by a robber, who then fled.

Pawar chases the thief but was ambushed by a group of assailants who attacked him. He said he was injected with a poisonous substance and had liquid forced into his mouth before he lost consciousness on the tracks. Pawar later regained consciousness at Matunga station where he rested before returning home the next day.

Research hampered by lack of evidence

However, GRP’s investigation hit roadblocks as no CCTV footage or eyewitness accounts corroborate Pawar’s claims about his ordeal at Matunga station. Though CCTV footage has captured him near Dadar and Thane stations on certain dates, his activities in Matunga are still unverified. Moreover, suspicions arise as Pawar’s phone records show that his last call was on April 27, casting doubt on his alleged departure from duty that day.

Authorities are investigating possible factors

Authorities are investigating alternative possibilities, including the likelihood that Pawar is intoxicated or that he has in fact started duty as stated. Pending the release of post-mortem findings, uncertainties remain surrounding the circumstances of Pawar’s tragic demise, adding to the mystery shrouding the case.