Public toilet in Shahpur goes missing! AMC official files delayed complaint

A complaint has been filed by a senior official of Amdavad Municipal Corporation over the alleged vandalism and unauthorised occupation of a government-built public toilet near Limda Chowk Auction Complex in Shahpur. The case, initially brought to the authorities’ attention in March, was formally registered on July 7, reportedly after receiving directions from higher officials.

As per the FIR, complainant Pareshbhai Solanki (56) works as a Sanitary Sub-Inspector for AMC’s Central Zone and is additionally responsible for overseeing sanitation in the Shahpur Shankarbhuvan area. He stated that on March 24, while on his regular morning inspection duty, he found that the men’s public toilet near Limda Chowk, a government-owned facility, had been damaged and partially taken over by unidentified persons.

Solanki noted that the toilet, constructed using two metal sheets, appeared to have been encroached upon and vandalised. Upon discovering the damage around 7.30 am, he immediately informed his superior, the Public Health Supervisor, and another senior official. He also submitted a written application regarding the matter at Madhupura police station on April 24, a month after the incident. However, no FIR was lodged at the time.

The delay in filing the formal police complaint has been attributed to procedural uncertainty and the assumption that departmental action would suffice. Solanki claimed he was recently instructed by his superior to officially file a police complaint after the matter resurfaced, reportedly through an unrelated complaint lodged by a third party regarding the same public facility.

An FIR against unknown individuals under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act was lodged with the Madhupura police. The accused are yet to be identified, and no property of monetary value has been cited as stolen.

Authorities will now examine the extent of the damage, check surveillance footage in the area if available, and identify individuals responsible for the alleged encroachment and damage.