New Delhi, July 24 -- A video filmed after the fatal stabbing of 22-year-old Mayank Lohar by Roshan Suvarna aboard a Mumbai local train in June went viral. The attack allegedly followed an argument over closing the coach door during heavy rains. The footage sparked widespread outrage-not only over the brutality of the violence, but also over the apparent failure of anyone to intervene. Around 30 passengers were reportedly present in the compartment at the time, yet there was no evidence of successful physical intervention.

Similar instances of bystander inaction have been documented earlier. In 2022, a young man was stabbed to death in Delhi's Sunder Nagri neighbourhood; in 2023, a 16-year-old girl was fatally attacked in Shahbad Dairy, ...