Couple attacked while returning from garba near Ahmedabad’s Shela

A 22-year-old man and his fiancée were brutally attacked by a mob in Ahmedabad after a late-night garba event on September 25. The couple was returning home from Navratri celebrations in Shela village when they were chased and their car vandalised. The mob followed them to a relative’s home, where they caused destruction.

According to a complaint filed at University Police Station, Kathan Ajaybhai Bhavsar and his fiancée Nandita were assaulted by a group of 8–10 men, who allegedly smashed their car, beat them with sticks and pipes, and destroyed CCTV equipment in the building where they sought refuge.

Dispute escalates after minor traffic incident

Bhavsar, a resident of Moordhanya Apartments in Naranpura, had gone to Shela with Nandita and his cousin Vedant for garba. At around 2.30 am, while returning, he briefly stopped near Sattadhar crossroads after suspecting his car had brushed against an Activa scooter. No damage was found, but the two-wheeler rider began hurling abuses.

Onlookers intervened to separate them, but the rider allegedly photographed Nandita and told Bhavsar, “Let our vehicle go ahead of yours.” Bhavsar followed the scooter until Ankur crossroads, where he parked by the roadside. Moments later, a group of men arrived and smashed his car’s front and side windows.

Mob chases victim to relative’s home, beats family

Disturbed that his fiancée had been photographed, Bhavsar called his maternal uncle Milapbhai, who asked him to come over. As the group attacked with sticks and pipes, Milapbhai rushed to help but was also beaten.

Bhavsar managed to drive to Surya Kutir Flats in Naranpura, where Milapbhai lives, but the mob followed him. As soon as he stepped out of the car, one attacker pulled his hair and struck his nose and eye with a pipe. The group allegedly continued assaulting him even after he fled upstairs.

Before fleeing, the attackers vandalised the building’s DVR system and television. Nandita’s mobile phone was also lost during the chaos.

Complaint filed after hospital treatment

Bhavsar sustained a fractured nose and several injuries in the assault. He received medical treatment before filing a police complaint five days later against identified suspects — Pratik Satishbhai Bharwad and Umesh Bijalbhai Bharwad — and several others.

Police said a case has been registered based on the scooter’s registration number. “We have initiated action and are pursuing the accused,” an official from University Police Station confirmed.

Investigation underway

Authorities are investigating the incident, including the circulation of photos allegedly taken of the victim’s fiancée without consent. CCTV footage from nearby areas is also being examined.

Police said the case involves multiple offences, including assault, criminal intimidation, vandalism, and destruction of evidence, and further arrests are likely.