Police’s Impenetrable Security Shield a Hoax? Ahmedabad Witnesses 5 Murders During Navratri

Ahmedabad’s Navratri celebrations were marked by a disturbing spate of violence, with five people killed in separate incidents across the city over the festival’s nine nights. The cases, reported in Danilimda, Shahibaug, Amraiwadi, Ramol and Khokhra, involved disputes over money, parking, old enmity and family property.

The incidents have drawn attention to public safety during Navratri, particularly after the Ahmedabad Police Commissioner’s office had promised a “zero-tolerance” approach and an “impenetrable security shield” for the festivities.

The deaths have prompted questions about the reach of preventive policing, night patrols, and intelligence gathering during the festival.

Five Cases, Five Disputes: What Happened During Navratri?

The five killings were reported on different nights of the festival. The circumstances varied, but each case involved a personal dispute that allegedly ended in death.

Night 4: Tea-stall dispute in Danilimda

A disagreement over a financial account at a tea stall allegedly led Imran Pathan and Altaf Qureshi to attack 24-year-old Mohammad Sahil Sheikh with a sharp weapon. Sheikh died in the attack.

Night 6: Parking argument after Garba in Shahibaug

An argument over reversing a car in a parking area after a Garba event allegedly turned violent. Harshil Patel and Rahul Desai reportedly attacked 36-year-old Sureshbhai Dave, who died.

Night 7: Old enmity leads to killing in Amraiwadi

In Amraiwadi, history-sheeter Rohit, alias Gando, and Madan Rajput allegedly stabbed 28-year-old Vikesh Gurjar outside a Garba venue. The attack was reportedly linked to an old personal enmity.

Night 8: Family property dispute turns fatal in Ramol

A dispute over a house and property allegedly ended in the death of 52-year-old Rameshbhai Patni. His nephew, Jayesh Patni, and sister-in-law, Kantaben, allegedly attacked him with an iron pipe inside the house.

Night 9: Woman killed in Khokhra

In Khokhra, Lakshmiben Dabhi, a widow, was allegedly killed by her nephew, Praharsh Makwana, after she questioned him about cash kept in a bag. Makwana allegedly used a pair of scissors to kill her and then attempted to pack her body into a bag.

Why Can Festival Celebrations Become a Flashpoint for Violence?

The sequence of killings has prompted questions about the factors that can cause people to lose their temper during an extended period of celebrations.

Ahmedabad-based senior psychologist Dr Prashant Bhimani says Navratri can bring late nights, loud music, crowded venues and heightened stimulation. These conditions may affect emotional regulation in some people, making it harder to manage anger or respond calmly to disagreements.

Bhimani identifies five psychological and behavioural factors that may contribute to aggressive reactions. These are possible explanations for behaviour, not established motives in each of the five murder cases.

1. Sleep deprivation and a ‘short fuse’

Nine nights of late celebrations can disrupt normal sleep patterns. Bhimani says sleep deprivation may affect the prefrontal cortex, which plays a role in judgement, impulse control and the regulation of anger.

When these functions are impaired, some people may become more reactive and less able to pause before responding. A disagreement over parking or money can escalate when a person reacts impulsively rather than stepping away from the confrontation.

2. Crowds, noise and a reduced sense of accountability

Loudspeakers, flashing lights and large crowds can leave people in a heightened state of arousal. Bhimani also points to deindividuation, a psychological phenomenon in which people may feel less identifiable or less personally accountable when surrounded by a crowd.

That perception can weaken inhibitions in some situations, potentially making aggressive behaviour more likely.

3. Alcohol and intoxicating substances

Alcohol and other intoxicating substances can impair judgement and reduce impulse control. According to Bhimani, substance use during late-night celebrations may make it harder for some people to assess a situation calmly or consider the consequences of their actions.

This can increase the risk of an argument escalating, although substance use has not been established as a factor in every case described.

4. Pressure to prove dominance

Bhimani says some young people may feel compelled to establish their status in front of friends or others in public. In such situations, backing down from an argument may be perceived as a loss of face.

This pressure to demonstrate toughness can turn a verbal disagreement into a confrontation involving threats or weapons, rather than allowing the dispute to end without violence.

5. Stress linked to money, family and social expectations

Financial worries, family tensions and social pressures can add to a person’s existing frustration. Bhimani suggests that this stress may surface during disagreements over money or property, causing an argument to become more heated.

However, stress alone does not explain or justify violence, and the circumstances of each incident need to be considered separately.

Security Promises Under Scrutiny After Five Killings

Before Navratri, the Ahmedabad Police Commissioner’s office had assured citizens of a zero-tolerance approach and extensive security arrangements to protect Garba participants and the public.

The five murder cases have renewed questions about the effectiveness of preventive measures, including night patrolling and intelligence gathering. While the incidents occurred in different areas and reportedly arose from different disputes, their concentration within the nine-day festival has heightened concerns over public safety.