Mumbai: The Kurla government railway police on Wednesday arrested a minor for allegedly stabbing a 35-year-old man following an argument over a fourth seat in a local train.

The incident took place on November 15 when Ankush Bhalerao got down at Ghatkopar railway station where the accused was waiting. The day before, the two had exchanged heated remarks, after which Bhalerao and his associates had assaulted the accused.

In an act of revenge, the teenager fatally stabbed Bhalerao before fleeing the scene. A photograph taken by the deceased during their previous altercation on the train helped police apprehend the suspect.

The Special Task Force of the Government Railway Police tracked down the accused using CCTV footage from the station and arrested him from Titwala two days after the murder. Police then arrested Mohammed Sanaullah Baitha, 25, the accused’s older brother, who allegedly helped hide the weapon.

According to railway police officials, Bhalerao was rushed to Rajawadi Hospital after the attack, where doctors found that his liver had been damaged. He died while receiving treatment. Before his death, Bhalerao provided a statement to police detailing the fight and threats made by the accused. “Bhalerao showed us the photo of the accused in his phone,” said a police officer from Kurla GRP.

“The accused was wearing a hoodie at the time of the attack, which made his identification quite difficult, but the photo helped us identify him,” the police officer added. During his interrogation, the accused admitted the crime. “He revealed that the knife used in the crime was hidden in his brother’s workshop,” an officer said.

After appearing before the Juvenile Justice Board, the accused was remanded to a children’s home.