A 27 year old Dalit man, Vimal Vaniya, was allegedly stabbed to death in public near Bhaktinagar Circle in Rajkot on Thursday afternoon.
Police suspect that Vimal’s brother in law, Kamlesh alias Kana, attacked him over his opposition to Vimal’s intercaste marriage to his sister.
According to police, Vimal lived in the Sahkar Road area near Kothariya Main Road and worked at a factory. He was allegedly approached by Kamlesh, following which the two got into an argument.
The argument reportedly escalated, and Kamlesh allegedly pulled out a knife and stabbed Vimal several times. Vimal collapsed on the road and was taken to Civil Hospital after shopkeepers and passers-by alerted authorities. Doctors declared him dead.
CCTV Shows Suspect Fleeing
Police said CCTV footage from the area showed the accused fleeing the spot on a motorcycle after the attack.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Bhavesh Jadhav said Vimal had married Sheetal, Kamlesh’s sister, around seven years ago.
Kamlesh was reportedly opposed to the marriage.
“The investigation so far indicates that resentment over the marriage led to the murder,” Jadhav said.
Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the attack and are looking for Kamlesh.
Wife Says Brother Had Threatened Vimal
In her statement to police, Sheetal alleged that her brother had previously threatened to kill Vimal whenever he came across him.
She said she had cut contact with her family after marrying Vimal and had remained separated from them for around seven years.
Speaking at Civil Hospital after Vimal’s death, Sheetal was inconsolable. She also said that her brother could have attacked her and her son if they had been with Vimal when the incident took place.
Police are investigating the alleged threats and the circumstances that led to the fatal attack.
