Birthday celebration turns deadly for youth in Ranip, four booked for murder

A 27-year-old man was stabbed to death late on Wednesday night while celebrating his birthday with friends near the Pink City Blind Welfare Centre in Ranip. Police said the victim, Naresh Raymalbhai Thakor, was attacked by four men who had a previous enmity with him over a financial dispute.

According to the FIR registered at the Ranip Police Station, Naresh was celebrating his birthday around 11 pm on October 8 when the accused identified as Prem aka Hado Sundaji Thakor, Ritik Ashokbhai Thakor, Ritik aka Rithi Nathabhai Sagara, and Sumeet Vijaybhai Rajak, all residents of Kaligam, Sabarmati, confronted him.

The complainant, Pintu Thakor (30), Naresh’s elder brother, stated that the accused had previously quarrelled with Naresh over a loan involving Prakash Thakor, who had allegedly demanded extra interest on money lent against a mortgaged motorcycle. “The dispute had led to repeated arguments between Naresh and Prakash’s relatives,” Pintu told police.

On Wednesday night, as Naresh and his friends gathered to celebrate his birthday, the four accused allegedly arrived at the spot and began hurling abuses, which turned into a scuffle. During the altercation, Ritik Thakor held Naresh while Prem aka Hado Thakor took out a knife and stabbed him in the chest.

Witnesses told police that Naresh tried to flee but collapsed on the road after being stabbed. His friends rushed him to Trisha Hospital in a private vehicle, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.

Following the incident, all four accused fled from the scene.

Police have registered a case under Sections of the BNS and Sections of the Gujarat Police Act for murder and unlawful assembly.

Investigators said preliminary efforts are underway to trace the accused through local intelligence and CCTV footage. The victim’s body was sent for postmortem at Civil Hospital, Asarwa, and further probe is in progress.