A graphics designer and an activist who has been fighting for the cause of physically challenged travelling in Mumbai local trains, was hit by a plain-clothed policeman at Ghatkopar station and later manhandled at Dadar station on Monday.

The cop presumed that the activist, Nitin Gaikwad, was clicking his photo who was travelling illegally in a compartment reserved for the physically crippled.

It so happened that Gaikwad, a Ghatkopar resident, who was waiting on platform number 4 of the station to board CST-bound train to reach his Mahim office at 8.53 AM noticed the cop, Jaywant Kamble, travelling in the handicapped coach.

"I was inspecting my mobile and the cop may have thought that I was taking his pictures. This enraged him and he started thrashing me. I was literally shocked as he slapped me a couple of times," Gaikwad reportedly lamented.

Gaikwad tried to contact GRP and RPF on their helplines but to no use. "It was at this juncture that the belligerent policeman revealed his identity. He dared me to complain to whoever I wished. Till then, I wasn't aware that he was a cop," Gaikwad added.

Gaikwad moved away and took the next local that arrived at Ghatkopar station. He and Gaikwad got off at Dadar. Unknown to Gaikwad, the cop had been travelling in another coach of the same train and had kept an eye on his movements.

"At Dadar, the policeman once again manhandled me. I screamed for help, alerting co-passengers and on-duty RPF staff who rushed to save me. The cop was hauled to the Dadar GRP police station but they only lodged a non-cognizable complaint against him as I had not sustained "serious injuries".

I have now requested the GRP commissioner, asking for stringent action against the accused," Gaikwad added.