Vejalpur man alleges assault, caste abuse, abduction bid

Ahmedabad: A 25-year-old Vejalpur resident on Wednesday filed a complaint with Vejalpur police, alleging assault, caste-based abuse, and an attempted abduction by a group of men. The complaint followed a long-standing personal dispute linked to his elder brother's relationship.According to the FIR, Jayesh Purabia, who lives near Vejalpur bus stand with his family, alleged that tensions had been simmering due to his elder brother Haresh's six-year relationship with Sejal Thakor of Vejalpur village. The relationship had earlier led to Haresh's divorce, and Sejal's engagement elsewhere had reportedly created friction between the two families.
Jayesh stated that on the night of Feb 11, while he was at work, he received a call from his cousin informing him that several members of Sejal's family had arrived at his residence armed with sticks and were creating a ruckus. He rushed back home and found a group that included Amar Thakor, Anand Thakor, Navghan Thakor, Harsh Thakor, Mahipal Zala and Hitesh Thakor, along with five to seven unidentified persons.The complainant alleged that the group abused his family members and, upon seeing him, assaulted him with sticks and fists. He further alleged that some of the accused used casteist slurs during the attack, despite being aware that his family belongs to a Scheduled Caste community.Jayesh claimed that he was dragged through the locality and forcibly made to sit on a two-wheeler against his will. He was allegedly taken towards Vejalpur village and assaulted again near a lane close to a temple. On noticing a police vehicle approaching, the accused allegedly took him to a terrace of a nearby house. He managed to escape and reach the police personnel, after which the group fled.Though he initially refrained from filing a complaint at the request of family members, fearing further escalation, Jayesh later approached police after being advised by relatives and community members.Vejalpur police registered an offence under relevant sections pertaining to assault, unlawful assembly, abduction and provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Further investigation is underway.