Archive · 22 Sep 2026
Man Dies in RPF Custody at Mumbai CSMT; CID Probes
Imran Sheikh was a 35-year-old man from Khandwa who had recently come to Mumbai to look for work.
He went to the railway station to ask for help and information about trains.
His relatives said railway security officers argued with and assaulted him.
Railway officials gave a different account, saying Sheikh acted aggressively, hit an officer and himself, and was restrained.
He was kept at the RPF post and later went into a toilet.
When he did not come out, officers opened the door and found him unconscious.
He was taken to St George Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
The Maharashtra CID is investigating what happened, and the exact cause of death is not yet known.
Imran Sheikh, 35, from Khandwa, died after being found unconscious at the CSMT RPF post.
Sheikh had arrived in Mumbai two days earlier seeking employment and approached officials for help and train information.
Relatives alleged that RPF personnel assaulted him after an argument at the station.
Railway officials said Sheikh became aggressive, struck an RPF officer and himself, and was restrained to prevent further injury.
The Maharashtra CID has taken over the investigation; CCTV footage was secured and a post-mortem report is awaited.
- Who
- Imran Sheikh, a 35-year-old resident of Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh, died after being held at an RPF post.
- What
- Sheikh was found unconscious in a CSMT station toilet and later died, leading to allegations of custodial death and a CID investigation.
- When
- The incident occurred on September 20, 2026; officials said he was taken to hospital at about 12:54 p.m.
- Where
- The incident occurred at the RPF post and station premises of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus in Mumbai; Sheikh was taken to St George Hospital.
- Why
- The circumstances remain disputed: relatives alleged assault, while railway officials said force was used after Sheikh became aggressive and attacked an officer and himself.
Relatives’ Allegations
Railway Officials’ Account
Cause of confrontation
Relatives’ Allegations
Relatives alleged that an argument began after Sheikh approached the RPF post and that personnel misbehaved with him.
Railway Officials’ Account
Railway officials said Sheikh was behaving erratically, claimed people were trying to kill him, and later became aggressive.
Use of force
Relatives’ Allegations
The relatives’ allegations suggest that RPF personnel assaulted Sheikh before his death in custody.
Railway Officials’ Account
RPF personnel said Sheikh hit RPF SI Aniket and himself, so they restrained him to prevent further injury.
Circumstances of death
Relatives’ Allegations
The family’s custodial-death allegation has prompted scrutiny of how Sheikh was treated while held at the RPF post.
Railway Officials’ Account
Officials said Sheikh was found unconscious after failing to respond from inside a toilet; the post-mortem and CID investigation will examine the cause of death.
- Deceased
- Imran Sheikh, 35, from Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh
- Incident location
- RPF CSMT Main Post and station premises, Mumbai
- Reported incident date
- September 20, 2026
- Hospital
- St George Hospital, where doctors declared Sheikh dead
- Initial case
- The GRP registered an Accidental Death Report and began an unnatural-death inquiry
- Investigating agency
- Maharashtra CID, with the probe initiated by CID Konkan Range SP Prashant Waghunde
- Evidence and pending findings
- CCTV footage from the station and RPF office was secured; the post-mortem report is awaited
