Elderly temple caretaker killed in unprovoked attack in Ahmedabad’s Saraspur

A morning visit to clean a local temple turned fatal for a 60-year-old man in Ahmedabad’s Saraspur area after he was allegedly attacked by a man wielding a metal fan, on Thursday. The assailant was caught at the scene by residents and later handed over to the police.

The deceased, Ambalal Dodiya, a resident of Shah Popatlal Mohanlal Ni Chali near Saraspur was engaged in his regular duty of cleaning the Dukh Bhanjan Hanuman Mandir, located opposite the locality. At around 6.30 am, while he was sweeping the temple premises, an individual identified as Parmeet Shah of Pushkunj Society, Navrangpura, reportedly emerged from within the temple and, without provocation, assaulted Dodiya from behind using a ceiling fan.

According to a police complaint filed by Dodiya’s nephew, Jignesh Dodiya, the incident came to light when a neighbour, Pushpaben, informed the family that Dodiya had been attacked at the temple. Jignesh, along with his mother and sister, rushed to the spot where they found Ambalal hanging limply over the temple gate’s railing, unconscious and badly injured.

Eyewitnesses, Naresh Thakor and Govind Dhanak, confirmed that the accused had assaulted Dodiya with a metal fan on the back, causing him to collapse. Locals quickly intervened, apprehended the attacker, and informed the family.

An ambulance was called, and Dodiya was taken to Shardaben Hospital, where doctors declared him dead. Police arrived on the scene shortly after and initiated legal proceedings, sending the body to the Civil Hospital for a post-mortem examination.

Preliminary investigation suggests no prior personal dispute between the victim and the accused, raising questions about Shah’s motive. The police have registered a case of culpable homicide and taken Shah into custody for further questioning.

The complaint was formally lodged at Shaherkotda Police Station by Jignesh Dodiya, and the matter is currently under investigation.