Kidnapping-cum-murder over neighbourhood feud in Chandkheda: three arrested within hours

In a rapid breakthrough, Chandkheda police on Friday arrested three key accused in connection with the brutal kidnapping and murder of a 20-year-old man, Ajay Thakor, whose abduction from a public road and subsequent fatal assault has left the local community reeling.

The incident occurred shortly after midnight on July 8, when Ajay Thakor and his friend Darsheel Bhatti were travelling in an autorickshaw near Shiv Shakti Bus Stand in Chandkheda. At approximately 12.45 am, a white Ertiga car intercepted their vehicle. The car was reportedly occupied by several men, including Baldev alias Tawdi Thakor, Nikul Manubhai Thakor, and Partha Barot, along with other unidentified individuals.

According to the First Information Report (FIR) filed by Ajay’s mother, Miraben Thakor, the assailants, allegedly acting on a prior vendetta, forcibly dragged Ajay from the autorickshaw after hurling abuses and physically confronting both occupants. Darsheel managed to escape, while Ajay was bundled into the Ertiga and taken to an undisclosed location.

Police reports state that the victim was subjected to a merciless assault with pipes and rods, resulting in multiple fractures to his knees, arms, legs, ribs and elbow. He was initially found in an unconscious state near a pond behind his home, after a resident informed about him. Ajay was rushed to the Civil Hospital in Asarwa. Despite emergency treatment and CT scans, he succumbed to his injuries hours later.

The genesis of the crime appears to lie in a confrontation earlier that evening, when Baldev Thakor allegedly picked a fight with Ajay over rash driving near their homes in Hudco Visat. Though the altercation seemed to have been resolved at the time, police believe the accused regrouped later to execute a premeditated attack.

Based on the FIR and Ajay’s dying declaration, police registered the case under multiple stringent provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and as well as sections of the Gujarat Police Act. The case also invoked charges relating to a breach of arms prohibition under orders from the police commissioner.

Chandkheda police launched a high-priority investigation, with oversight from senior officials and teams were swiftly deployed to trace the suspects.

A crucial lead came from team constables who tracked the accused to Mehsana. Within hours, all three main suspects were arrested and brought back to Ahmedabad for further interrogation.

Those arrested include—

• Baldev alias Tawdi Ramsangji Thakor, 54, resident of Hudco, Chandkheda.
• Partha Kishore Singh Rao (Barot), 41, resident of Ashray Residency, opposite Chandkheda Railway Station.
• Nikul Manubhai Thakor, 29, resident of Thakorvas, Chandkheda.

Two other accused, Kavya alias C K Chauhan and an unidentified individual, are yet to be arrested. Police are continuing their efforts to track them down and identify any further conspirators involved.

A senior official from Chandkheda police said, “We acted on every lead with urgency. The victim’s statement before he lost consciousness was crucial in identifying the attackers.”