Dabhoi: The local police have registered a case under the Atrocities Act and for assault against seven individuals, including the Dabhoi Taluka Congress president, in connection with an attack on a candidate who had gone to withdraw his nomination at the Dabhoi Taluka Panchayat office.

According to the complaint, Mulji Vasava, a resident of Kundela village in Dabhoi, had been allotted a ticket by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for a taluka panchayat seat. However, he later extended support to the BJP along with a Congress candidate.

On the day of the incident, Vasava had gone to the Dabhoi Taluka Panchayat office with his associates and the Congress candidate to withdraw his nomination form. At the office, a group of Congress workers, including Dabhoi Taluka Congress president Sudhir Barot, allegedly confronted him.

Police said the accused, fearing that Vasava’s withdrawal would affect the Congress party’s electoral prospects, rushed towards him, issued threats, and allegedly told him that it would be difficult for him to continue living in the village if he withdrew his nomination. They also allegedly used abusive and insulting language.

The complaint further states that the accused formed an unlawful assembly and engaged in a scuffle in the presence of BJP MLA Shailesh Mehta. During the altercation, Congress workers also reportedly clashed with BJP leaders present at the office.

Following the incident, Vasava lodged a complaint with Dabhoi police, alleging that he was deliberately humiliated due to past enmity and was physically assaulted. Based on the complaint, police registered a case under relevant sections, including provisions of the Atrocities Act.

Accused named in the FIR:

Sudhir Dilipbhai Barot (resident of Santhod), Rakesh Vinodchandra Patel (resident of Rajli), Ankit Rajendrabhai Brahmabhatt (resident of Thuvavi), Kamal Rakeshbhai Barot (resident of Dabhoi), Akshay Kiritbhai Barot (resident of Santhod), Ajay Dharmeshbhai Barot (resident of Santhod), and Dilip Ambalalbhai Patel (resident of Kundela). DeshGujarat