Ahmedabad builder found murdered in Mercedes boot, police arrest three from Rajasthan

In a crime that has shocked the city’s real estate and business circles, prominent builder and Patidar community leader Himmatbhai Kanubhai Rudani (62) was found murdered inside the boot of his own white Mercedes C-Class late on Saturday night, beneath the Viratnagar overbridge in Odhav.

According to police, the victim’s son, Dhaval Rudani, Himmatbhai, was last seen alive around 10.30 am on Saturday (September 13) when he briefly met his son near the Bhat toll plaza to discuss work at a bungalow construction site. After parting ways, Dhaval went about his routine business and legal work, but by mid-afternoon became alarmed when repeated calls to his father’s mobile went unanswered.

Hours of anxious search

By 3 pm, Himmatbhai’s phone remained switched off, an unusual occurrence, Dhaval told the police. Calls to relatives and neighbours yielded no clues. Around 7.45 pm, Dhaval and his uncle Hasmukhbhai began searching areas where the builder was known to visit.

At about 9 pm, they spotted the family’s white Mercedes parked in the parking under the Viratnagar overbridge, in front of Gitanagar Society. Initially, nothing seemed amiss; the car doors were locked, and no one was inside. On closer inspection, Dhaval noticed a blood-stained handkerchief on the back seat.

When the spare key arrived, the family opened the car. Inside, they found Himmatbhai’s mobile phone and the bloodied handkerchief. Fearing the worst, they called the police control room. On opening the car’s boot, they discovered Himmatbhai’s body.

Fatal injuries

Police said the builder had suffered multiple stab wounds to the chest, abdomen and right side, inflicted with a sharp weapon. He was declared dead at the scene by emergency medical personnel. His body was sent to Civil Hospital, Sola, for post-mortem examination.

Investigators believe that between 10.30 am and 9 pm, an unknown assailant attacked Himmatbhai at an undisclosed location, placed his body in the car boot and abandoned the vehicle under the overbridge before fleeing.

Arrests made in Rajasthan

Acting on leads from CCTV footage and phone records, Ahmedabad police traced the suspects to neighbouring Rajasthan. On Sunday, early morning, a special team travelled to the Sirohi district and apprehended three accused:

1. Himanshu alias Rahul Harishbhai Rathod, a resident of Hirawadi Char Rasta, Ahmedabad city

2. Pappu Hiraji Meghwal, a resident of Jawal, Sirohi, Rajasthan

3. A minor in conflict with the law

According to investigators, the trio were brought to Ahmedabad from Sirohi for questioning. Their exact role in the crime is yet to be officially detailed, but police confirmed they were “key suspects” in the murder.

Police investigation

The case has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for murder. Inspector P.N. Jinjuwadia, who is leading the investigation, said teams are continuing to examine digital evidence and interrogate the accused.

Preliminary inquiries reveal no immediate motive. Family members told police there had been no major disputes, though investigators are exploring all angles, including business rivalries and personal enmities.

Prominent figure in real estate

Himmatbhai Rudani was a well-known builder and a respected member of the Patidar community in Ahmedabad. His company, D.V. Developers, has been involved in several residential projects. The murder has sent shockwaves through the city’s construction fraternity and community organisations.

Police have appealed to residents of the Viratnagar–Gitanagar area to share any information about suspicious movements near the overbridge on Saturday.

“This is a brutal and carefully planned murder. We are following multiple leads and will bring the perpetrators to justice at the earliest,” a senior police officer said.

The killing comes barely a day after another violent incident in the city, when a youth was murdered in Paldi. The back-to-back killings have raised concerns about law and order in Ahmedabad.