A 24-year-old Dalit man, Mahesh Premji Rathod, died while undergoing treatment at Shantabaa General Hospital in Gujarat’s Amreli district, two days after he was allegedly assaulted during a dispute over food wastage. The incident has triggered outrage, with the family staging a protest and demanding that murder charges be added against the accused.
According to the family, Mahesh was brutally beaten after he was unable to finish food served at a charitable meal centre. They are refusing to accept his body until the accused are booked under murder provisions.
Family Alleges Caste-Based Assault After Food Dispute
As per the FIR details and family allegations, Mahesh had gone to a free food distribution centre located behind the hospital on April 17 while visiting his uncle. He reportedly could not finish his meal due to feeling unwell.
The family alleges that this led to a confrontation with the organiser of the food centre, after which Mahesh was asked to pay a penalty. When he attempted to pay, they claim he was questioned about his caste and village identity. The family further alleges that after learning he belonged to a Dalit community, he was physically attacked by the accused using plastic pipes.
Mahesh sustained multiple injuries, including a fractured hand, and was admitted to the hospital’s trauma ward. Although he was initially expected to recover, his condition reportedly worsened, and he died during treatment on April 20 after complaining of dizziness and suspected head injury complications.
Family Protest Continues, Refuses to Accept Body
Mahesh’s family has been sitting on a dharna outside the hospital for several days, refusing to take possession of his body. They are demanding that the police upgrade the charges to murder under Section 103 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), arguing that the attack directly led to his death.
The family has accused authorities of delaying justice and insists that strict action must be taken against all those involved in the assault.
Police Version: FIR Filed, Murder Charges Await Postmortem Report
Police have registered an FIR against seven individuals, including four named and three unidentified persons, in connection with the assault. However, officials have not yet added murder charges, stating that they are waiting for the postmortem report to determine the exact cause of death. Police have also indicated that court approval may be required to escalate charges since the victim died two days after the incident.
Authorities have said that the investigation is ongoing and legal procedures will be followed based on forensic and medical findings.
