Man beaten to death in Ahmedabad over inter-caste love marriage, bride’s family among seven held

In a suspected case of revenge over an inter-caste love marriage, a 50-year-old sanitation worker was allegedly beaten to death by members of his daughter-in-law’s family in Ahmedabad’s Naranpura area earlier this week.

According to police, the victim, Bhailal Vaghela, and his wife Kailashben, both daily-wage sanitation workers, were attacked by the family of their daughter-in-law near Usmanpura Metro Station and later in Ranip area. Bhailal succumbed to his injuries during treatment, while Kailashben remains admitted in hospital.

Preliminary investigation revealed that Bhailal’s son, Shani Vaghela, had married Josna Parmar, daughter of Raju Parmar, against the wishes of her family. The couple’s love marriage had reportedly caused tension between the two families.

Police said Josna’s father, Raju Parmar, and his relatives had repeatedly demanded that she return to her parental home. Frequent quarrels between the families followed.

On October 30, Raju Parmar, accompanied by several relatives including his brother-in-law, allegedly confronted Bhailal and Kailashben and brutally assaulted them. Passersby and locals later rushed the injured couple to hospital, where Bhailal died during treatment.

Following the attack, the Naranpura police registered a case of murder, criminal assault and rioting, and carried out a panchnama of the spot with the help of the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL).

Police have arrested seven accused — Raju Parmar, Mahesh Parmar, Lataben, Kalavati, Jyotiben, Mahesh Rathod and Prem Parmar — while one suspect remains absconding.

Speaking to the media, HN Kansagra, ACP, B Division, said, “The attack appears to be motivated by resentment over the love marriage. All prime accused have been arrested and further investigation is underway.”

Police said efforts are on to trace the absconding accused and to record statements of key witnesses as part of the probe.