It was my birthday. My husband told me he would leave early, take me out for dinner and celebrate with me. I was waiting at home, but he never came,” said Pooja Alok Singh, the wife of 31-year-old mathematics professor Alok Kumar Singh, who was stabbed to death inside a local train on Saturday evening.
“Instead, the police called and said my husband had met with a train accident. When we reached the hospital, he was already dead. My family initially hid the truth from me — that he had not died in an accident, but had been killed by someone inside the train,” she said, breaking down while speaking.
Birthday plans failed
Alok Singh lived with his wife at Pratap Nagar SRA Society in Kurar Village, Malad East, where the couple had been renting a flat for the past three years following their marriage. He was born in the same building and lived there all his life.
Alok Kumar Singh, the mathematics professor who was stabbed to death inside a local train at Malad
“He left college one hour early that day because we had planned to go out,” Pooja said. “Usually he reaches Malad around 6.30 pm, but that evening he arrived at 5.30 pm.”
She said she collapsed after learning of his death at the hospital.
“All my happiness has been taken away. The accused killed my husband. He deserves the strictest punishment,” she said.
Alok was the son of Anil Singh, who works for Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
‘He never fought’
Alok’s sister, Pooja Sandeep Singh, described him as calm and soft-spoken.
Relatives and neighbours gather to perform Alok Singh’s final rites at Vadarpada in Kandivli East on Sunday. PIC/Satej Shinde
“My brother was not someone who got into arguments or fights. He was gentle by nature. We cannot understand how something like this could happen to him,” she said.
“It has been only three years since his marriage. Just a few days ago, I was teasing him and telling him I wanted a niece. Today we are left asking how to live without him.”
Aunt echoes grief
“He was a quiet child even while growing up. He had an MSc degree, was highly educated and taught mathematics. We cannot understand what anger drove someone to stab him,” she said.
Family questions delay
The victim’s family has questioned whether delays in medical assistance contributed to his death.
Pooja Alok Singh, wife of the deceased, who got married to Alok three years ago (right) Pooja Sandeep Singh, sister of the deceased. Pics/Shirish Vaktania
“He was alive for a long time after the stabbing,” said a relative. “Why was he not rushed to the nearest hospital immediately?”
Pooja Sandeep Singh, sister of the victim, asked, “How did he die? Why wasn’t he taken to hospital faster? How was he allowed to bleed for so long?”
According to relatives, Singh remained seated on the platform for nearly half an hour while waiting for an ambulance.
“If he had been taken immediately to the hospital outside Malad station, he might have survived,” said his brother-in-law Sandeep Singh.
The family also raised concerns over security lapses, questioning how the accused was able to carry a sharp metal tool inside a local train.
Police explanation
Responding to the allegations, Senior Police Inspector Dutta Khupekar of the Borivli GRP said there was no procedural delay by police.
“Our officers did not conduct any formalities at the platform. The victim was made to sit only while waiting for the ambulance,” he said.
“The ambulance arrival was delayed by 15 to 20 minutes due to peak-hour traffic. Another 10 minutes were required to shift the patient inside the ambulance, followed by 15 to 20 minutes to reach the hospital.”
“We would never ask an injured person to wait for procedures,” Khupekar added.
Remembering Alok
Alok Singh had completed his MSc in mathematics and was known as a brilliant student since childhood. His wife, also a teacher, had resumed her postgraduate studies this year after being encouraged by him. “He used to help her with every academic doubt,” said a close family member.
Childhood friend Deviprasad Shukla remembered him as quiet and kind. “We studied together. He always scored above 90 per cent. He rarely spoke much, but everyone respected him. Saturday was his wife’s birthday and they had planned to celebrate. A cousin’s engagement was held at his home just a day earlier. None of us imagined this would happen.”
Neighbour Sambhapat Pandey said Alok inspired many youngsters from their native village in Jaunpur to pursue education.
“He was helpful, educated and lived peacefully with his wife. Our entire village is in shock,” he said.
Women residents from the society echoed the demand for justice. “He never fought with anyone. We have known him since childhood. The accused must receive the strictest punishment,” they said.
On Sunday, large crowds of relatives and friends gathered at Pratap Nagar SRA Society in Kurar Village for Alok Singh’s final rites.
Voices
Pooja Alok Singh, wife of the deceased mathematics professor, at their residence in Malad East
‘All my happiness has been taken away. The accused killed my husband. He deserves the strictest punishment’
Deviprasad Shukla, childhood friend of Alok Kumar Singh, who described him as quiet and kind
‘We studied together. He always scored above 90 per cent. He rarely spoke much, but everyone respected him. Saturday was his wife’s birthday and they had planned to celebrate. A cousin’s engagement was held at his home a day earlier’
Pooja Sandeep Singh, sister of Alok Kumar Singh
‘My brother was not someone who got into arguments or fights. He was gentle by nature. We cannot understand how something like this could have happened
to him’
Sambhapat Pandey, neighbour and relative of Alok Kumar Singh, at the family residence in Kurar Village
‘He was helpful, educated and lived peacefully with his wife. Our entire village is in shock. He never fought or argued with anyone. We have known him since childhood. The accused must receive the strictest punishment for this crime’
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