A minor disagreement in Ranip turned violent late Saturday night when a 25-year-old Dalit youth, Sahil Vaghela, was attacked with a knife, leaving him seriously injured. The incident has raised concerns over caste-based violence in the area.
Victim Speaks About Attack
Sahil Vaghela, a resident of Purushottamanagar opposite Pink City in Ranip, told police that the incident occurred around 10:30 pm while he was at a paan shop near Bakra Mandi. “I went there with friends, and we met Shravan Thakor, Harshit Thakor, and four others,” he said.
According to Sahil, the group began questioning him about an old dispute in his housing society. The situation quickly escalated with verbal abuse, including caste-based insults. Sahil alleges, “They started insulting me using caste-based words and physically attacked me. During the scuffle, Shravan took out a knife and slashed my neck on the left side.”
Witnessing Sahil bleeding, the attackers fled in panic. Sahil immediately called friends and relatives and was rushed to Civil Hospital via a 108 ambulance. Doctors treated him, and he has now been discharged and is reported to be out of danger.
Police Register FIR Against Six Accused
Ranip police have registered an FIR against the six accused. The case is being investigated under sections of the Indian Penal Code for rioting, unlawful assembly, voluntarily causing grievous hurt, and acts intended to disturb peace. Additionally, relevant sections of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act have been applied to the accused.
A senior police officer said, “We are taking this case seriously. The investigation is ongoing, and efforts are being made to trace the accused who are absconding.”
