Teen Assaulted, Scooter Set Ablaze After Alleged Road Blockade in Behrampura; Seven Booked

A 17-year-old boy was allegedly assaulted by a group of men and his scooter set on fire following a dispute in Ahmedabad’s Behrampura area late on Sunday night, prompting the police to register an FIR against seven named and unidentified accused.

According to the complaint lodged by Aartiben Chauhan, 34, a resident of Behrampura, the incident took place at around 10.15 pm on August 2 when her son, Mahir, and three of his friends were riding towards the locality to collect a food parcel.

Mahir was travelling on his Honda Activa scooter with his friend Himesh Sargada, while their friends Sahil Ode and Shailesh Dantani were riding another scooter. As the group reached Hanumanji’s Chali in Behrampura, they allegedly found three men standing in the middle of the road, blocking their passage.

The trio, identified as Navneet, Jigo and Karan Rathod, allegedly warned the youths that “no one should pass through here today”. When the teenagers attempted to move past them, they were allegedly stopped and assaulted.

More accused allegedly joined assault, scooter torched

The complainant stated that Himesh, Sahil and Shailesh managed to flee from the spot, while Mahir was allegedly surrounded and attacked. After receiving a phone call from Himesh informing her of the incident, Aartiben rushed to the area with a neighbour. By the time she reached the location, a crowd had gathered and Mahir was found standing near the Jain Block opposite the spot of the alleged assault. She later brought him home.

In her complaint, Aartiben stated that Mahir narrated that more people joined the assault shortly afterwards. The FIR alleges that Karan’s father, Satishbhai Rathod, Maheshbhai Rathod, Maheshbhai’s son Sujal Rathod and another youth known as “Oga” arrived at the scene. Karan allegedly struck Mahir on his left elbow with a wooden stick, while Maheshbhai allegedly slapped him several times.

The complainant further alleged that Mahir was taken towards the Jain Block, where Satishbhai, Sujal and Oga allegedly assaulted him with belts. During the incident, Sujal allegedly set fire to the scooter belonging to one of the youths, causing extensive damage.

Seven booked; probe underway

Kagadapith police have registered an FIR against Karan Rathod, Satishbhai Rathod, Sujal Rathod, Maheshbhai Rathod, Navneet, Jigo and another accused identified only as Oga, whose full identities are yet to be established.

Police said further investigation is underway to ascertain the exact sequence of events and apprehend all the accused.