Locals confront Shahibaug police after late-night incident

Tension flared in Ahmedabad's Shahibaug area late on Wednesday night after a police intervention to shut down street carts allegedly led to an altercation with locals, who accused a police sub-inspector (PSI) of being drunk. A video purportedly showing the PSI in an inebriated state has since gone viral, prompting senior officers to rush to the spot.

According to police sources, the incident occurred near the Civil Hospital, where street food carts were operating past permitted hours. A team from Shahibaug police station, including PSI and other personnel, reportedly attempted to shut down the stalls. During the operation, a cart overturned, leading to heated exchanges between the vendors and the police.

Locals alleged that the police vehicle had rammed into the cart deliberately, and soon a large crowd gathered at the scene. The situation escalated when some individuals claimed that the PSI was under the influence of alcohol and began filming videos of the officer’s alleged state.

As tensions grew, the police team withdrew from the location. However, angry residents reportedly chased the police vehicle for over a kilometre, eventually stopping it at Baliya Limdi. A second crowd gathered there, with multiple individuals confronting the officers and recording videos alleging drunken misconduct and rash driving under the influence.

Upon receiving reports of the confrontation, senior police officers, including ACP-level officials, rushed to the site to defuse the situation and assess the claims.

Inspector J D Zala of Shahibaug police station later stated that the PSI was not intoxicated, and dismissed the allegations as false. He maintained that the officers were simply performing their duty by enforcing late-night vending restrictions. “Certain elements attempted to obstruct police work and made baseless accusations,” Zala said. “A case has been registered against the cart operator for obstructing government duty.”

The police have launched an internal inquiry into the incident and are reviewing the viral videos to determine if further disciplinary action is warranted.

Trust deficit widens

This incident comes within 24 hours of the city police commissioner calling for a crackdown on liquor-related offences, highlighting a growing gap between official messaging and ground-level policing. The fact that the episode unfolded barely 1.5 km from the commissioner’s residence has added to public scrutiny.

While senior officers insist no wrongdoing occurred, residents say repeated instances of high-handed policing, particularly in working-class neighbourhoods, are eroding trust.

Police have appealed for calm and have promised an impartial investigation. Meanwhile, the videos continue to circulate on social media, keeping the incident firmly in the public eye.