India, Nov. 2 -- A group of eight to 10 men allegedly tampered with the railway signalling system to halt the Mumbai-Kolhapur Mahalaxmi Express in Maharashtra's Satara district on Sunday and then robbed three women passengers of gold ornaments worth around Rs.2 lakh, police said.

The incident occurred near Salpa railway station around 2.30am, an investigation by Miraj Railway Police Station revealed on Monday. After bringing the train to a halt, the gang entered the S-2 coach, snatched gold ornaments from three women passengers and fled.

The suspects also allegedly pelted stones at coaches S-2, S-3 and S-4, apparently to deter pursuit, triggering panic on board.

"Prima facie, it seems the accused tampered with the railway signal system...