Singer assaulted outside café on SG Highway, Vastrapur police register case

A 32-year-old Ahmedabad-based singer sustained facial injuries after he was allegedly assaulted by four persons, including two identified accused, outside a rooftop café on SG Highway late on December 29, police said.

As per the FIR registered at Vastrapur Police Station, the incident occurred around 11.45 pm on the public road in front of Machaan Rooftop Café. Hardik alias Hardil Rajeshbhai Pandya, a professional singer, lyricist and composer, stated that he was standing by the roadside with his friends Rudra Ojha and Kaushal Hastwala when the assault took place.

Pandya told the police that while he was speaking on the phone, his friend Jigar Mulani arrived to meet him. As Pandya extended his hand to greet Mulani, Shyam Sidhawat and Pawan Parmar, along with two unidentified associates, allegedly pushed him from behind, causing him to fall to the ground.

The complaint further states that the accused began abusing him verbally, following which Sidhawat, who was wearing a metal imitation ring, allegedly struck Pandya on the left side of his face two to three times. The blows resulted in bleeding injuries near his mouth. The two unidentified men accompanying the accused also allegedly joined the assault.

Hearing the commotion, Pandya’s friends and bystanders intervened and rescued him from further harm, after which the accused fled the spot. Pandya was then taken to Sola Civil Hospital, where he received treatment and required two stitches on the left side of his mouth.

The complainant later approached the Vastrapur police along with his father and lodged a formal complaint. Police said there are at least six witnesses to the incident, including the complainant’s friends and family members.

Based on the statement, Vastrapur police have registered a case and initiated a standard investigation into the assault. Efforts are under way to trace and identify the two unidentified accused involved in the incident, officials said.

Vastrapur Police Inspector L L Chavda confirmed, "We have registered a case in the matter, and the investigation is ongoing. We are currently examining CCTV footage and expect to apprehend the individuals involved in the assault soon."