Dalit woman's hair chopped, alleges assault, casteist abuse in Ahmedabad

A 30-year-old woman from a Scheduled Caste community has alleged that she was physically assaulted, verbally abused with casteist slurs, and had her hair forcibly cut in an apparent act of humiliation by three persons in the Vatva area of Ahmedabad earlier this week.

According to a First Information Report (FIR) registered at Vatva Police Station, the incident took place on March 14 around 12.15 pm near Durganagar. The woman, who works as a domestic help and currently resides in Vatva, stated that she had gone to meet a friend when the accused—identified as Bharatiben Patni, Parulben Patni and Sagar Marwari, all residents of Khokhara—allegedly lured her into an autorickshaw on the pretext of facilitating a meeting.

The complainant told police that she had been in contact with a man known to her, and had called him on the day of the incident. The call was allegedly answered by one of the accused, who insisted on meeting her. She was subsequently called to the entrance of her residential society and persuaded to accompany them.

On the way to Vatva, an argument reportedly broke out over the man in question. The victim alleged that one of the accused became enraged and began abusing her using casteist slurs, fully aware of her background. She further alleged that the accused physically assaulted her, with the others joining in.

In a particularly disturbing allegation, the woman stated that one of the accused used scissors to cut her hair, forcibly chopping it off in what she described as an attempt to publicly shame and humiliate her. She also claimed that her mobile phone was damaged during the assault, resulting in a loss of approximately ₹8,000.

The FIR states that the accused later dropped her back near her residence. Due to fear, distress and physical injuries, the complainant initially did not approach the police and sought medical treatment. She subsequently filed a complaint once her condition stabilised.

Police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Officials said further investigation is under way and statements of witnesses, including family members, are being recorded.

A senior officer confirmed that the matter is being probed from all angles, including the sequence of events leading to the alleged assault and the role of each accused.