Modus operandi of north Indian train robbers; Suhail Shanavas robbed of iPhone and earbuds; 17-year-old gangleader and five members caught

KOCHI: The Ernakulam Railway Police have arrested a six-member gang that was robbing mobile phones of passengers travelling by sitting on the footboard of trains by knocking them out of their hands.

Siraj (26) of Perumbavoor Allapra Pulavath house; Joswin Eldo (18) of Perumbavoor Rayons Padayattil house; K.A. Ashiq (21) of Kannayampilli house, Melmuri, Alathur, Malappuram; Muhammed Fazal (18) of Peringottu Parambil, Kalamassery; Shefin (18) of Kampayikudi house, Malayidam Thuruth, Vazhakkulam, Aluva and a 17-year-old native of Aluva were arrested.

The accused targeted passengers on overnight trains from Aluva to Thrissur. The train leaving Aluva station moves at a reduced speed on the flyover and near St. Xavier's College. At this time, the gang waiting by the track usually knocks off the mobile phones of passengers sitting on the footboard by hitting them with sticks. The gang has also attacked passengers sitting in open window seats. The police said that the 17-year-old was the one who hit the passengers with sticks and led the robbery. Although many migrant workers lost their mobile phones and belongings, no one complained.

The accused were arrested because Ambalappuzha native Suhail Shanavas (26), who was travelling standing on the footboard of the general compartment of the Thiruvananthapuram-Mangalore Malabar Express, fell off the train on Sunday midnight following the attack by the robbers. The accused robbed the injured Suhail of his iPhone worth Rs 75,000, Rs 750 in his pocket and earbuds. The case was registered on the complaint of Suhail, who had sought treatment at a private hospital. The accused were taken into custody under the leadership of Ernakulam Railway DySP George Joseph, CI Balan and SI E.K. Anilkumar.

The accused used the money they received from selling mobile phones to buy drugs and alcohol. Five accused were produced in court and remanded. The 17-year-old was produced before the Juvenile Justice Board.