Anandnagar PG Horror: Ahmedabad Court Sends Accused to Sabarmati Central Jail, Robbery Charges Added

The Ahmedabad Rural Court on Wednesday rejected a five-day police remand application for security guard Dharmsinh Rathod, the key accused in the horrific Anandnagar rape case, remanding him instead to judicial custody at Sabarmati Central Jail.

The court did, however, accept an application by the Anandnagar Police to add Section 308(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) to the chargesheet. The newly invoked section covers robbery through extortion or intimidation, carrying a potential penalty of up to 10 years imprisonment alongside fines.

The Assault

The brutal assault took place on the night of August 8 in the city's Jodhpur area. A 23-year-old woman, a native of Kutch residing in a paying guest (PG) facility, went up to the building's terrace for a walk around 9 pm.

Rathod, who was working as a security guard at the property, attacked the young woman. When she resisted and attempted to break free, the accused strangled her from behind using an electrical wire, smothered her mouth, and subjected her to a horrific assault. Before fleeing the scene, Rathod stole the victim's mobile phone and threatened to kill her if she disclosed the incident.

Encounter Shootout During Evidence Recovery

Anandnagar Police arrested Rathod within hours of the crime. However, the investigation took a dramatic turn during a crime-scene reconstruction and evidence recovery exercise at Hebatpur.

While officers conducted a formal panchnama to retrieve the victim's stolen mobile phone, Rathod attempted to snatch a Police Inspector's service revolver. In the ensuing scuffle, a shot discharged, striking Rathod in the leg and injuring a constable. Both were rushed to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment.

On Wednesday, police presented Rathod at the Rural District Court, requesting five days of custodial remand. The accused, limping from his bullet wound, sat silently with folded hands inside the courtroom throughout the proceedings.

Police Cite Extensiveness, Court Chooses Prison Remand

Investigating officers pushed hard for custody, arguing that interrogation was necessary to uncover whether Rathod acted alone or as part of a wider pre-planned conspiracy. Prosecutors requested time to analyze his Call Detail Records (CDR) and Subscriber Detail Records (SDR) to trace potential accomplices and check for third-party financial support following the crime.

Defense counsel opposed the custodial extension. After listening to arguments from both sides, the presiding magistrate concluded that further police custody was unnecessary, dismissing the petition and ordering Rathod's transfer directly to Sabarmati Central Jail.