Catering rivalry leads to 49-year-old’s murder

Vadodara: A late-night argument between two caterers stemming from their business rivalry ended in a brutal killing in the heart of the city, after one of them stabbed the other in Dandia Bazaar late on Thursday night, sending a shockwave through the old city.

The victim, Babusinh Chauhan, 49, and the accused, Hiren Thakkar, are in the catering business. Raopura police registered a murder case and arrested Thakkar on Friday.

According to police, Chauhan and Thakkar were part of a group of friends who gathered in the area and went to a restaurant for dinner. An argument broke out between the two during the meal.

“They are in the same business, so there was some rivalry. While having dinner, they argued over whose business was better. Friends intervened, after which both left,” said D J Patel, inspector, Raopura police.

Police said the argument continued over the phone later in the night, after which Chauhan drove towards Thakkar’s house in Dandia Bazaar.

“This time, Thakkar rushed at Chauhan and stabbed him in the chest with a knife. Chauhan got into him car and sped away,” Patel told TOI.

Bleeding heavily, Chauhan lost control of the vehicle and it slammed into an electric pole near Ramway Plaza. Passersby saw him sprawled inside the car around 2am and alerted police.

Meanwhile, Chauhan’s wife, Rupa, learnt about the incident after her daughter got WhatsApp messages and photographs of the damaged car from a friend. Rupa told police that she had spoken to Chauhan around midnight, when he said he had argued with Thakkar before disconnecting the call.

Police said Thakkar is a history-sheeter with seven offences registered against him in the city for prohibition and gambling violations.

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Ex-cricketer was at dinner gathering

A former Baroda cricketer was also at the dinner gathering where Chauhan and Thakkar got into an argument. When asked whether the group had drunk liquor, police said it was subject to investigation and had not yet been ascertained.