Hindus observe bandh in Shahpur, Ghee Kanta after brutal stabbing incident

Ahmedabad: The murder of a Home Guard jawan near Delhi Darwaza late Monday night has sparked fresh tensions in the city. While initial police investigations pointed to a dispute over molestation, Hindu organizations have alleged that the real cause was linked to MD drug activity. In protest, local Hindus called for a bandh in the Shahpur and Ghee Kanta areas today, leading to most shops and businesses remaining shut.

To maintain law and order, police deployed convoys in sensitive areas from early morning. Several leaders who attempted to enforce the bandh by closing shops were detained.

The victim, 34-year-old Kishan Shrimali, a Home Guard jawan residing in Bhoiwada’s Pol in Shahpur, was attacked near Delhi Darwaza on Monday night. According to police, the accused, Badruddin Shah, confronted Kishan for allegedly staring at his wife. Before Kishan could react, Shah allegedly stabbed him multiple times. The assault was so brutal that Kishan’s intestines protruded. He was rushed to Civil Hospital but succumbed to his injuries during treatment.

Acting swiftly, the city crime branch arrested Shah (22), also known as Sabir or Rafiq, along with his companion Neelam Prajapati (25), within hours on Tuesday, aided by CCTV footage and local intelligence.

Police said Shah and Prajapati met during a theft nearly two years ago and have since been involved in several criminal activities. Both were reportedly under the influence of intoxicants at the time of the attack.

Initially, Madhavpura police registered a case of assault and criminal intimidation under the Gujarat Police Act. After Kishan’s death, the charge was upgraded to murder under Section 103 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Shah has a criminal record with 14 previous cases, including armed robbery, theft, and assault, registered across multiple police stations such as Vatva, Danilimda, Narol, Odhav, and Kalupur.

Meanwhile, the murder has triggered anger among local residents and organizations, who insist the incident is rooted in drug trafficking and abuse rather than the molestation claim. DeshGujarat