Bhavnagar: A 38-year-old farmer from Bagdana village in Mahuva taluka was allegedly assaulted by eight unidentified men in the early hours of Monday after he followed a suspicious car that had earlier stopped his son’s tractor on Navagam Road.

According to a complaint filed by the victim, Navneetbhai Dahyabhai Baldhiya, at the Bagdana police station, the incident occurred around 1.30 am on December 29. Baldhiya stated that his 19-year-old son, Monit, was returning with a tractor from the Kherala Madh area when a white car without a number plate intercepted him. The occupants allegedly demanded a pass-permit and took the tractor key. After the men left, Monit informed his father about the incident.

Baldhiya then set out on his motorcycle to search for the vehicle. While following a white car towards Monpar village, he was allegedly stopped near a block factory. Four men got out of the car and attacked him with sticks and iron pipes, causing him to fall from his motorcycle. Shortly afterwards, another car arrived and four more men joined the assault. The attackers allegedly beat him indiscriminately, vandalised his motorcycle, smashed his mobile phone, and fled in two cars.

The injured man was first taken to a community health centre and later shifted to a private hospital in Mahuva, where he is currently undergoing treatment. According to the FIR, Baldhiya sustained fractures to his right thumb and wrist, head injuries, and multiple wounds on his hands and legs that required stitches. He also claimed losses of around ₹40,000 due to damage to his motorcycle and mobile phone.

Based on the complaint, Bhavnagar district police have registered a case against eight unidentified persons under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with provisions of the Gujarat Police Act. Further investigation is underway.

Meanwhile, another angle has emerged in the case. Allegations have surfaced on social media regarding the possible involvement of Jayraj Ahir, son of noted folk singer Mayabhai Ahir. According to Baldhiya, the issue traces back to a bhajan programme held in Mumbai on December 24, during which Mayabhai Ahir allegedly referred someone as a “managing trustee” of the Bagdana Dham Trust.

Baldhiya, who is associated with activities of the Bagdana Ashram, claimed he later contacted the singer to clarify that there is no post of “managing trustee” at the ashram and that all office-bearers are trustees. Following the conversation, Mayabhai Ahir issued and circulated an apology video, admitting that the term was used mistakenly. Baldhiya later shared the apology video on social media.

Baldhiya has further alleged that after the video gained traction, he received a phone call from Jayraj Ahir asking him to meet, after which the assault incident occurred. Though the victim has not named Jayraj Ahir in his complaint, social media users have raised questions, claiming that despite these allegations, police have so far registered the case only against unknown persons and have not named any individual in connection with the matter.

Police officials, however, have not yet commented on these allegations. DeshGUjarat