The Kurla Government Railway Police (GRP) have arrested 42-year-old Mohammad Saif, also known as Asgar Ali Chowdhury, in connection with a violent bag snatching incident in which a 50-year-old doctor lost his hand after falling from a moving train. Saif, a Delhi resident, is wanted in multiple cases across Mumbai.
The victim, Dr. Yogesh Deshmukh, was traveling with his wife, Dr. Deepali Deshmukh, and their nine-year-old child on the Nanded Express from Lokmanya Tilak Terminus when the incident occurred. Saif, who previously worked as a hawker selling mobile headphones on trains, shifted to chain and bag snatching along the Kurla-Panvel route several years ago.
On June 4, while the family was en route to their village, Saif followed them on the train and snatched Dr. Deepali’s bag. During the struggle, Deepali fell from the moving train. Dr. Yogesh attempted to save her but lost his balance and fell, resulting in his left hand being severed from the elbow. CCTV footage confirmed Saif’s involvement and established him as a habitual offender who had been absconding since the incident.
On August 8, Saif repeated a similar crime at Kozhikode railway station in Kerala, where he snatched a woman’s bag from a moving train, causing her to fall and sustain serious head and back injuries. Despite his continued offenses, Saif was eventually arrested by Kozhikode police in Delhi. The Mumbai Railway Crime Branch later secured custody and produced him in court, where he was remanded to police custody.
Authorities revealed that Saif is linked to over 34 cases of chain and bag snatching across Mumbai and other cities. He is particularly active during July and August, targeting passengers on the Kurla-Panvel route. Police noted his transition from a train hawker two decades ago to a notorious snatcher involved in numerous violent incidents.
