Tennis coach at Gujarat University assaulted over sharing of liquor complaint on WhatsApp group

A 29-year-old tennis coach was allegedly assaulted by a group of men near Maitri Society in Ahmedabad on Thursday evening after a complaint he had earlier filed regarding the sale of liquor was circulated in the society’s WhatsApp group, police said.

As per the First Information Report (FIR) registered at Gujarat University Police Station, the incident took place around 7.30 pm on December 25. Dayabhai Bhati, a resident of Navrangpura who works as a tennis coach at the Gujarat University campus, alleged that he was lured to the area and beaten following personal enmity linked to the liquor complaint.

In his statement, Bhati said he received a phone call from Ishwarbhai Parmar, a resident of Gulbai Tekra, asking him to come near Friendship Society on the pretext of some work. When Bhati reached the spot in a rickshaw, Parmar and two others identified as Haresh Parmar and a man known as Deva allegedly intercepted him.

Bhati alleged that he was dragged out of the rickshaw, abused and repeatedly slapped and punched. He further claimed that one of the accused struck him on the forehead with a stick, causing dizziness and a fall, after which he was assaulted further until he started bleeding. The assailants allegedly fled after police arrived at the spot, issuing threats before escaping.

Police personnel called an emergency ambulance, and Bhati was first taken to the police station before being shifted to Sola Civil Hospital. Doctors conducted medical examinations, including a CT scan, which was found to be normal. Hospital authorities said the victim was conscious and stable at the time of examination.

In his complaint, Bhati stated that the assault was a result of resentment after his application regarding the illegal sale of liquor was posted in the society’s WhatsApp group, triggering hostility from the accused.

Based on the complaint, the Gujarat University Police Station has registered an offence under relevant sections of the law and initiated further investigation to identify and apprehend the accused.