A 65-year-old vegetable vendor, Badamji Chamnaji Modi, was fatally shot in a suspected case of old enmity near the Borana Vegetable Market in Ahmedabad’s Nehrunagar on Saturday night. Despite being rushed to the hospital, Modi succumbed to his injuries early Sunday morning.  

The attack, which took place around 8 pm, saw two unidentified assailants arrive on a motorcycle. The pillion approached Modi, who was at his shop and fired a single shot at close range, injuring him near the ear.

After the attack, the shooter fled towards his accomplice on the motorcycle, and the duo escaped. Although a passerby attempted to intercept the assailants, they managed to flee.  

Witnesses reported that the attacker initially fired a shot into the air, creating panic in the vicinity, before targeting Modi. CCTV footage captured the suspects fleeing the scene, which is now being analysed by police teams.  

Modi, originally from Sihori in Rajasthan, owned a vegetable shop in Ahmedabad. He was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital, but doctors confirmed his death around 7:15 am on Sunday due to excessive blood loss.  

Police investigation underway  

Police officials have launched an intensive investigation into the case. B D Jhilariya, Inspector of Ellisbridge Police Station, stated, “A single shot was fired, and a case has been registered. We are investigating all possible angles, including a history of disputes involving the victim.”  

Senior officers, including JCP (Sector 1) Neeraj Badgujar, DCP (Zone 7) Shivam Verma, DCP Crime Ajit Rajian, and ACP Crime Bharat Patel, visited the crime scene on Saturday night. Authorities are relying on CCTV footage and both technical and human intelligence to identify the perpetrators.  

JCP Neeraj Badgujar revealed that the incident might be linked to a long-standing land dispute involving Modi’s family. “Preliminary findings suggest that someone from Rajasthan could be connected to this attack. This does not appear to be the work of an active gang in Ahmedabad,” he said.  

A history of attacks  

This is not the first time the Modi family has been targeted. In 2023, Badamji’s elder brother, Khetaram Modi, was strangled to death in Rajasthan’s Mandwad village. The case remains unsolved, with the accused still at large.  

In October 2024, Badamji was attacked on Manekbag Road in Ahmedabad by an assailant armed with a sharp weapon. Though he escaped with minor injuries, police were unable to apprehend the attacker, as the motorcycle used in the incident had no licence plate.  

Police officials disclosed that the motorcycle used in the latest attack was a Hero Splendor with an out-of-state registration. Senior officers noted that the vehicle used in the October incident was different, indicating the involvement of multiple perpetrators or groups.  

The police are now focusing on resolving the long-pending cases linked to the Modi family while intensifying efforts to nab the assailants responsible for Saturday’s fatal attack.

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