Surat: An incident involving a demand for free firki (spool of kite thread) ahead of Uttarayan has landed three police personnel from Sarthana Police Station and a civilian in legal trouble. Following a petition, a local court has ordered the registration of a criminal case against the four individuals for allegedly assaulting a shopkeeper who refused to provide kite strings for free.

According to the complaint, on the night of January 13, 2025, Ravi Bhupat Kasotiya visited a kite and manja shop owned by Rakesh Gajera in the Sarthana area. He allegedly took a firki worth 2,500 var and, when asked for ₹800 in return, refused to pay, claiming to be affiliated with the Sarthana police. The next day, on Uttarayan, Ravi returned demanding firki worth 5,000 var. When Rakesh denied the request, Ravi reportedly returned with three on-duty policemen (D Staff)—Ravi Dangar, Pragnesh Goswami, and Kripal Singh Bhati—and assaulted Rakesh and his employee Mukesh at the shop. A video of the incident, filmed by a bystander, later went viral on social media.

The complaint further alleges that the policemen took Rakesh and Mukesh to the police station and continued to assault them there. Advocate R.B. Mendpara filed the complaint in the Surat court on Rakesh’s behalf. After hearing arguments from both sides, the court directed the registration of a criminal case under IPC Sections 323 (voluntarily causing hurt) and 114 (abettor present when offence is committed) against all four accused. DeshGujarat