The Ahmedabad City Crime Branch has detained two individuals suspected of vandalizing the bust of Baba Saheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, located outside Jayanti Vakil’s Chali, opposite K.K. Shastri College in the Khokhra area.
The two suspects, Mehul Thakor and Bhola Thakor, were apprehended in Aslali after the police reviewed over 1,000 CCTV recordings and interrogated more than 200 people. Other accused individuals, Chetan Thakor, Jayesh Thakor, and Mukesh Thakor, are still at large.
According to Crime Branch Joint Commissioner of Police (JCP) Sharad Singhal, “a complaint was registered at the Khokhra Police Station on the morning of December 23, 2024, against five unknown individuals. The statue of Baba Saheb Ambedkar was damaged at 2:48 AM. The suspects arrived on two scooters, damaged the statue, and then fled the area. Following the CP’s instructions, a total of 20 teams, including the Crime Branch and local police, worked on the case. More than 1,000 CCTV recordings and scooter registrations were reviewed. This morning, the Crime Branch apprehended the two suspects, Mehul Thakor and Bhola Thakor.”
The names of the other three suspects have been identified, and they are currently at large after turning off their phones. The Crime Branch and Sector-2 teams are actively investigating their whereabouts. All the suspects reside near Jugandas Ni Chali, Eidgah Circle.
Regarding the motive behind the vandalism of the statue, he explained that Navanu Dhelu, located next to Jugandas Ni Chali, is home to the Nadiya community. A long-standing dispute between the two communities has been ongoing since 2018, which led to cross-rioting charges being filed. One of the accused in that case was Jayesh Thakor. Jayesh Thakor is also named in the FIR filed on December 23. Further investigations will be conducted by the Khokhra Police.
When asked why the vandalism took place here, while the old feud was near Eidgah, the police officer said, “The accused were roaming on scooters and believed that Baba Saheb is a symbol, so they targeted the bust for vandalism. This is part of the ongoing dispute between the Nadiya and Thakor communities. Other investigations will be carried out by the Khokhra Police to determine if there was any other reason behind the vandalism. The Khokhra Police will seek remand of the arrested suspects tomorrow.”
According to the primary investigation, the accused had not planned the vandalism. They were in the area and allegedly committed the act spontaneously. Accused Bhola Thakor pelted stones at the bust, and the main accused are Jayesh and Chetan. All five had met at a tea shop prior to the act of vandalism.