An armed mob wreaked havoc across Ahmedabad’s Rakhial and Bapunagar areas late on Wednesday night, attacking police personnel, vandalising public property, and terrorising residents. The incident has raised serious concerns about public safety and the effectiveness of law enforcement in managing such volatile situations.
The ordeal began near Noor Mahal Hotel in Rakhial around 11 pm when a group of armed individuals wielding swords and knives confronted local residents. According to a complaint filed by Saddamuddin Safiuddin Sheikh, a photographer, the mob threatened him while demanding information about his brother Salman, a convict serving a life sentence for murder who recently absconded after jumping parole.
When Saddamuddin denied knowledge of his brother’s whereabouts, the assailants turned violent, attempting to attack him and his cousin Sohail. Saddamuddin narrowly escaped a sword strike on his head, which instead struck a nearby shop. The brothers fled to save their lives as the attackers pursued them, shouting threats before retreating toward Garibnagar.
Later that night, violence escalated near Banagar Char Rasta in Bapunagar. An armed group, including several identified suspects, attacked police personnel responding to a control room alert about a fight in the area. Assistant Head Constable Khumansinh Bahecharsingh and his team were ambushed by the mob, which vandalised their police vehicle, broke its windshield and side glass, and looted approximately ₹5,000 in cash.
Assistant Head Constable Khumansingh recounted how he and his team were forced to retreat inside their vehicle as the mob launched a relentless attack using swords and knives. Despite calling for reinforcements, the attackers fled before additional police units arrived.
The police have registered FIRs at Rakhial and Bapunagar police stations, invoking multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including charges of unlawful assembly, criminal intimidation, attempted murder, and damage to public property. The Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act has also been applied.
Ongoing investigation
Police officials confirmed that several suspects, including Sameer alias Chikna, Sarwar alias Kadva, Fazal Shaikh, Anil Rajput, Altaf alias Junam, and Mehfuz, are known troublemakers in the area and were involved in the incident.
When reinforcements reached the spot, the accused attempted to flee. Police managed to apprehend two individuals, identified as Sameer and Fazal, while others managed to escape.
Ravi Mohan Saini, DCP Zone-6, said, “We have arrested two individuals, identified as Sameer and Fazal, and efforts are underway to apprehend the remaining suspects. The situation is under control, and further investigations are ongoing.”