Mumbai: A 50-year-old woman from Bheem Nagar, Borivali West, is recovering in hospital after sustaining a serious hand injury while trying to protect her son from a knife attack late Wednesday night. The violent incident was the result of escalating tensions between neighbours and has left the local community in shock.
The woman, Sunita Salve, acted instinctively when she saw her 25-year-old son being targeted by a neighbour, a 28-year-old bus driver employed with BEST. The accused allegedly confronted the young man for speaking to his sister, a point of contention that had sparked arguments in the past.
Verbal Spat Turned Into Knife Attack
According to reports quoting Borivali police, the accused showed up at the Salves’ residence shortly before midnight, seeking a confrontation. As Sunita and her son stepped out, the attacker reportedly pulled out a knife and attempted to stab the young man in the abdomen.
Courageous Mother Saved Son, Held Blade With Bare Hands
In a swift reaction, Sunita threw herself in front of the blade, grabbing it with her bare hands in an attempt to deflect the strike. The knife slashed through her palm, severing a vein and causing heavy bleeding.
Alerted by the noise, neighbours rushed to the scene and transported Sunita to Nair Hospital, where she is currently under medical care. Doctors say her condition is stable, but she will require surgery to repair the damaged tissue in her hand.
Preliminary investigation revealed ongoing tensions between the two families, largely due to the accused’s objection to his sister’s interaction with Salve’s son. Police had noted a recent verbal altercation just days before the attack, suggesting that tempers had been simmering.
Accused Held After Overnight Manhunt
Following the incident, Borivali police launched a swift manhunt. Officers led by Assistant Police Inspector Devidas Gajre and PSI Indrajeet Patil traced the accused, who had fled the scene and arrested him in the early hours of Thursday, NewsNine reported. He was presented before the Borivali metropolitan magistrate court later in the day and remanded to two days in police custody.
A case of attempted murder has been registered against him. Authorities have begun recording statements from witnesses and family members to understand the full scope of the incident.
