A 26-year-old physiotherapist was brutally stabbed during a public altercation near Vardan Tower in Naranpura, Ahmedabad, allegedly over a year-old debt dispute over ₹90,000. The victim, identified as Nirav Chandrakant Bhochia, sustained multiple stab wounds and is currently undergoing treatment at Sola Civil Hospital.
According to the complaint filed by Bhochia, he had lent ₹90,000 to a man named Vidit, who subsequently passed the money to his friend Ashish Tarun Thakkar. On the evening of December 26, Bhochia, accompanied by three friends, approached Thakkar near Vardan Tower to demand repayment of the debt.
The situation escalated when Thakkar, along with five unidentified accomplices, allegedly began verbally abusing Bhochia. The confrontation turned violent, and during the altercation, Bhochia was stabbed twice in the waist and once in the upper left side. Witnesses reported that the attackers also used caste-based slurs to humiliate the victim publicly.
Passersby intervened and rushed Bhochia to the hospital as he collapsed from his injuries. Bhochia, who remains conscious and in stable condition, stated that he could identify the attackers if presented with their photographs.
Police officials revealed that Bhochia had sought support from his friends to recover the money, unaware that Thakkar had already gathered accomplices. During the confrontation, someone from Thakkar’s group stabbed Bhochia. Although the exact identity of the attacker is unclear, Bhochia has alleged that one of Thakkar’s associates was responsible for the stabbing.
H.M. Kansagra, ACP of the ‘B’ Division, stated, “We have arrested the main accused, Ashish Thakkar, and efforts are underway to apprehend the remaining suspects involved in the matter. We are analysing CCTV footage from the area, but the exact identity of the attacker has not yet been confirmed. There are four to five suspects in the case, and we are actively tracking them down.”
The Naranpura police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, including charges of attempted murder, physical assault, and the use of caste-based slurs. Investigations are ongoing to identify and arrest all individuals involved in the incident.