In a significant development, Ahmedabad police and Amdavad Municipal Corporation, in joint operation, went on to demolish the illegally constructed residence of one of the accused Fazal Shaikh, who was arrested on December 20.

Along with Shaikh, police arrested four accused involved in the violent mob attack on police personnel and residents in the Rakhial and Bapunagar areas. 

The arrested suspects have been identified as Sameer alias Chikna Shaikh, Fazal Shaikh, Altaf alias Junam Shaikh, and Mehfuz Miya.  

The police confirmed that all four were apprehended during a series of coordinated raids based on intelligence inputs. However, two key accused, Anil Rajput and Sarwar alias Kadva, remain absconding. Efforts are underway to locate and arrest them. 

The chaos began near Noor Mahal Hotel in Rakhial on December 19, where an armed group attacked a local photographer, Saddamuddin Sheikh, and his cousin Sohail, demanding information about Saddamuddin’s brother Salman, a convict who absconded after jumping parole. The attackers pursued the duo with swords, creating panic in the locality.  

Later that night, the violence escalated near Banagar Char Rasta in Bapunagar when police personnel responding to a control room alert were ambushed. The mob vandalized the police vehicle, breaking its windshield and looting ₹5,000 in cash.

R.D. Oza, ACP of H Division, stated, “As per the information, a notice regarding the illegally constructed residence was issued long ago by the AMC, instructing the occupants to evacuate the property. During today's demolition drive, three houses and a shed belonging to the accused, Fazal and Altaf Shaikh, were demolished.  

Our preliminary investigation also revealed that Sameer had been residing at the property, and Shaikh’s mother was involved in selling liquor in the area.”

Also read:

Four arrested in Rakhial-Bapunagar mob attack case, two at large