Pune: The family of a 77-year-old man who lost his life after falling on an escalator at Pune Railway Station is demanding the release of CCTV footage, challenging the railway authorities’ claims of a swift response.
Ashok Prabhakar Deshpande was on his way to Nagpur with his wife, daughter, and grandchild when tragedy struck on the Tadiwala Road side of the station. According to his wife, Sandhya Deshpande, Ashok had been walking slightly ahead of the family while carrying luggage when he stepped onto the escalator, lost his balance, and fell.
“What I saw was horrifying—he slipped and was calling out for help. I rushed up the escalator myself, but there was no railway staff in sight. Locals were the first to help,” she said.
Pune Railway Station officials have stated that personnel from the Railway Protection Special Force (RPSF) reached the scene within 30 seconds. However, the Deshpande family firmly contests this timeline. They insist that Ashok was unattended for longer than claimed and that bystanders, not officials, were the first to intervene.
“We just want the facts. I’m urging the authorities to release the CCTV footage so we can see what actually happened,” Sandhya said.
The family says they’re not interested in assigning blame, but they do want accountability and transparency. They believe the surveillance footage would confirm whether the injured man received immediate medical attention or if there was a delay in assistance.
According to the railway’s official version, RPSF staffer Sawta Lagad responded swiftly, along with assistance from nearby passengers. The statement further claimed that although an ambulance was called right away, it was delayed in arriving. In the meantime, Lagad allegedly arranged for an auto-rickshaw to take Ashok to Sassoon General Hospital.
Despite these claims, the family remains unconvinced. The incident, first reported by Mirror on March 11, has sparked widespread concern over the handling of emergencies at public transport hubs.
“We are only asking for clarity. Let the footage speak. We want the truth, not excuses,” the family said.
