Ahmedabad Rural Police crack Dholka woman’s murder; accused held for attempted molestation, strangulation

The Ahmedabad Rural Police have solved the murder of a woman found dead near Dholka Chikhli Lake Road, arresting a man who allegedly tried to rape her and then strangled her to death when she resisted.

According to police officials, the deceased Narmadaben, daughter of Adabhai Vaghela, a resident of Dholka and belonging to the Devi Pujak community, was found dead in an acacia bush near the crematorium on Dholka Chikhli Lake Road on October 19. The body bore severe head injuries, and a scarf was found tightly wound around her neck.

Initially, the Dholka Town Police had registered a case of accidental death and sent the body for post-mortem to the Forensic Department. The medical report later confirmed that the woman had died due to serious head injuries and strangulation, prompting police to convert the case into a murder investigation under Section of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Immediately after the incident, Ahmedabad Rural Police formed multiple teams comprising officers from Dholka Division, Local Crime Branch (LCB), Special Operations Group (SOG), and the local police station. Dog squads, forensic experts, and technical surveillance teams were also deployed to assist in evidence collection.

Investigators examined CCTV footage from around the crime scene and questioned over 100 people, including residents, labourers, factory workers, and watchmen from nearby colonies. Police also checked nearby godowns and industrial sheds and verified the movements of individuals frequently seen on the route.

After days of investigation, a breakthrough came when a police constable received a tip-off from a local informant. Acting on this information, the police detained Navghanbhai alias Kalu Babubhai Devipujak (35), who was living in a makeshift shed on Dholka Chikhli Lake Road. Originally from Viramgam taluka, Ahmedabad district, he was residing temporarily in Dholka.

During interrogation, the accused confessed to attacking the woman when she resisted his sexual advances. According to police, Navghanbhai attempted to rape the victim and, when she fought back, pushed her to the ground, causing a severe head injury. He then strangled her with her own scarf, killing her on the spot.

The accused has been booked under Section of the BNS (murder), and further legal proceedings are underway.