'Fired in self-defence': Retd DySP, son, daughter held for attempt to murder in Gujarat

AHMEDABAD: A day after a retired deputy superintendent of police (DySP) allegedly fired five rounds from his gun over a land dispute in Ahmedabad’s Nehrunagar area, police on Thursday arrested him along with his son and daughter, triggering high-voltage drama inside the Satellite police station. The trio has been charged with attempt to murder and other relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Those arrested include retired DySP Ashoksinh Chauhan, his son Siddharajsinh Chauhan, and daughter Khyati Chauhan. During their detention at the Satellite police station, a commotion broke out when the retired cop and his family protested against the police action.

Videos circulating on social media showed police personnel pushing the accused towards the lock-up amid heated exchanges.

Chauhan alleged that “goons” had illegally occupied his land and claimed that the police had acted on a one-sided version of events. His family also maintained that the firing occurred in self-defence.

Police sought seven-day remand for Chauhan and two others while continuing their investigation into the firing incident and the underlying dispute over land worth around Rs 500 crore.

According to the FIR filed with Satellite police on Wednesday, Chauhan allegedly fired multiple rounds from his licensed pistol during a confrontation with members of a partnership firm operating the Nehrunagar Patharanaa Bazar.

The complainant, businessman Amit Patel, alleged that Chauhan and his family were upset over an ongoing civil dispute concerning a five-bigha parcel of land near the Nehrunagar bus stand.

Police said the dispute stemmed from a commercial arrangement under which several businessmen had invested money and set up temporary stalls on the land. The matter escalated after civic authorities raised objections to the property documents, following which both parties approached the court.

The FIR alleges that Chauhan’s two sons and daughter first arrived at the site and abused the businessmen, threatening them with dire consequences.

Shortly afterwards, Chauhan allegedly arrived in his luxury car carrying a pistol. He is accused of firing three rounds near the feet of the complainant and his associates before allegedly firing two more rounds directly at the complainant and another businessman.

The complainant alleged that he narrowly escaped being hit. No injuries were reported.