Ahmedabad PI dies of rabies after unnoticed scratch from stray dog

Updated: Sep 23rd, 2025

Deceased  Police Inspector Vanraj Manjariya

Ahmedabad Police Inspector (PI) Vanraj Manjariya, who was serving in the city police control room, has died of suspected rabies after an unnoticed scratch from a stray dog. He passed away on Monday morning at a private hospital after nearly two days of treatment, officials said.

Manjariya, originally from Amreli and currently living in Adalaj, was a 2001-batch recruit who had risen through the ranks from Police Sub-Inspector to Inspector. At the time of his death, he was posted as an administrative PI in the city control room.

According to relatives and colleagues, Manjariya was fond of dogs and kept several at home and at his farmhouse. Among them was a stray dog that he had recently sheltered. At some point, the animal’s claw apparently scratched him, but he did not notice the injury.

Family members said his health began to deteriorate suddenly, prompting his admission to KD Hospital in Ahmedabad. Despite intensive care, his condition worsened on Sunday night and he succumbed early Monday after about a day and a half of treatment.

The news of his death has left the city police force and his family deeply shaken. Senior officers and colleagues paid tribute to the inspector, describing him as a dedicated officer and a warm, animal-loving person whose life was cut short unexpectedly.

A senior police official said, “It is a tragic reminder of how dangerous an untreated dog scratch or bite can be. We urge citizens to seek immediate medical attention even for minor injuries from animals.”

Manjariya is survived by his family members, who have received condolences from across the state police department.