Minor abducted, assaulted with pipes over cigarette dispute in Ahmedabad

A 17-year-old boy was allegedly abducted and assaulted by four persons in Odhav, Ahmedabad, following a dispute reportedly linked to cigarette purchases, police said on Tuesday.

According to a complaint lodged by the victim’s mother at Odhav Police Station on Monday, two unidentified men abducted the minor and took him to a factory premises, where they, along with two others, allegedly beat him with pipes and hurled caste-based abuses.

The incident came to light after the boy returned home late at night on March 31 in a distressed condition. Upon being questioned by his mother, the minor narrated the sequence of events, following which a police complaint was filed.

Police said the victim, who resides in Odhav with his family, had informed his mother earlier in the evening that he was stepping out for dinner. However, while returning home and passing near Gota Circle, he was intercepted by two men on a scooter.

The accused allegedly forced the minor onto their two-wheeler and took him to a factory terrace in the Raghuvir Estate area of Odhav. There, two other individuals, identified as Chirag and Ajit Darbar, were already present.

According to police, all four accused assaulted the minor with pipes and abused him using casteist slurs. After the assault, the victim was dropped near the Odhav fire station before the accused fled the scene.

The injured minor was later taken to a hospital for treatment. Police officials said preliminary investigation suggests that the assault may have stemmed from repeated altercations between the victim and the accused over cigarette purchases.

Investigators also indicated that the minor had been previously involved in minor offences, though further details were not disclosed.

A case has been registered against two identified accused, while efforts are underway to trace the others involved.