A violent daylight attack in Ahmedabad has raised fresh concerns about law and order after seven to eight armed men allegedly stormed into the office of Vraj Jewellers on Science City Road on Tuesday evening and attacked a builder with knives.
According to a media report, Sanjay Soni, the incident occurred around 5 pm when alleged gangster Vikram Rabari and his associates targeted builder Ketan Patel and businessman Sanjay Bharwad. CCTV footage reportedly shows several men barging into the office before launching the assault.
Soni said that when he and his associates tried to intervene, they too were attacked. Patel sustained a serious head injury, Bharwad was struck with the back of a knife, and others suffered minor injuries. One attacker also hurled a brick during the scuffle.
Soni alleged that Rabari, known for his suspected involvement in illegal moneylending, had come with his men to threaten and extort money. Patel, closely associated with the jeweller, resisted, which led to the violent assault.
Both Patel and Soni further accused the Bodakdev police of refusing to register their FIR. Patel claimed officers were hesitant to act due to Rabari’s influence.
“They are not registering my complaint because they are afraid of Lukha and his men. Instead, they tried to manipulate the statement,” Patel alleged.
The alleged police inaction triggered a protest outside the Bodakdev police station, where a crowd gathered, demanding immediate registration of the complaint and the arrest of the accused.
However, senior police officials denied that the FIR was refused. Speaking to Gujarat Samachar Digital, Bodakdev police said preliminary inquiries suggested that Soni and Rabari had been in business for the past six years and that some payments were overdue from Soni’s side. Rabari had allegedly visited the office to discuss the matter, with Patel mediating between the two. “An argument broke out, leading to the fight,” a police officer said.
The Bodakdev police in-charge said officers had contacted the victims three times, asking them to come to the station to record their complaint. “We were ready to register the FIR. However, the victims insisted on adding extortion charges, for which there is no evidence. We are ready to investigate the assault and use of weapons as per the law,” the officer stated.
The attack, which unfolded during rush hour on a busy commercial stretch, has sparked concern over the growing boldness of criminal elements in the city. CCTV footage from the jeweller’s office has been seized for review.
The victims are expected to meet Ahmedabad Police Commissioner G. S. Malik on Wednesday afternoon to demand action. Further updates are awaited.