Ahmedabad lawyer alleges abduction, assault by four men over couple’s 'maitri karar'

A 24-year-old lawyer in Ahmedabad has alleged that he was assaulted, abducted from his residence and threatened with death by four men in connection with a dispute over facilitating a 'maitri karar' (live-in contract) for a couple, according to a police complaint registered on Saturday.

Vaibhav Maheshbhai Piplia, a practising advocate residing in the Thakkarnagar area, alleged that the incident took place on April 28 when four men, identified as Vijay alias Rakesh Danabhai Nakum, Tarun Bambhaniya, Amit Hadiya and an unidentified accomplice, forcibly entered his house, assaulted him and kidnapped him.

Piplia had earlier assisted a woman identified as Jagruti Vijaybhai Nakum and her associate Nilesh Rameshbhai Chudasama in executing a contract through a notary at the old high court premises in Navrangpura on April 18.

Days later, the two allegedly contacted him again, claiming that a video involving them had gone viral and seeking legal advice. Piplia advised them to file affidavits and approach local police station for protection.

Later that evening, the accused allegedly arrived at his residence, accused him of helping the couple, abused him and forced him into a white Swift Dzire parked outside after threatening to kill him if he resisted.

In his complaint, Piplia alleged that the men took him to an unidentified office where he was beaten with a stick and repeatedly interrogated about the whereabouts of Nilesh and Jagruti. He further claimed that he was then taken at hotels and the Geeta Mandir ST bus stand while the accused searched for the couple.

The complainant stated that the accused threatened to abduct and kill his brother and father if he approached the police.

Piplia said he managed to escape from the accused near Geeta Mandir and later contacted a friend for assistance. He told police that he delayed filing the complaint due to fear arising from the threats.

During the course of events, Piplia also came to know that the accused were allegedly linked to a conspiracy surrounding the death of his friend, Nilesh Rameshbhai Chudasama, in connection with which a separate case had been registered at Savarkundla Rural Police Station on April 30.

Krishnanagar police have registered an FIR and initiated an investigation into the allegations.