A Diwali firecracker dispute outside Empire Skyview apartment on Ahmedabad's Science City Road turned violent on 8 November, leaving five people injured and seven accused arrested, Bodakdev police said. The clash followed an earlier disagreement between apartment residents and a group of people over bursting firecrackers, and it ended with a licensed pistol being fired into the air to stop the attack.
An earlier dispute on 6 November
According to the complaint filed by Jigarkumar Dahya Patel, 44, a businessman and resident of Empire Skyview, the first altercation took place around 10.30 pm on 6 November. At the time, residents were bursting firecrackers outside their apartment complex, while a group of eight to ten people were setting off crackers near Rajwadi Tea, close to the Capital-2 building. Patel alleged that some firecrackers were thrown towards the society. When he and other residents objected, the group allegedly told them to do whatever they wanted and continued bursting crackers before leaving after running out. The disagreement was subsequently resolved, according to the complaint.
A group of 20 to 25 people attacks residents
The confrontation resumed on the night of 8 November, when Patel, his family members, friends and other residents gathered outside the apartment complex to celebrate Diwali. According to the complaint, some people were again bursting firecrackers near Rajwadi Tea. The complainant identified three of them as Pranshu Koitawad, Arjun Kalpeshbhai Desai and Vishwas Kali. A firecracker rocket allegedly landed among the society members. When residents objected, another rocket was reportedly directed towards them. The three men and their associates allegedly called others to the spot. Soon afterwards, a group of around 20 to 25 people arrived outside the apartment complex carrying sticks and clubs and attacked the residents, the complaint stated. Patel alleged that he was struck on his right hand and the left side of his head with a stick. Jitesh Bawa, who worked at Patel's office, sustained a bleeding head injury. Other residents and Patel's relatives, including Hitesh Patel, Rakesh Patel and Maulik Patel, were also allegedly assaulted.
Licensed pistol fired to stop the attack
The complaint further states that Rakeshbhai Somabhai Patel fired two to three rounds into the air from his licensed pistol in an attempt to stop the assault and protect the residents. The group allegedly fled after the firing. Following the incident, police were called to the spot. Jiteshbhai Bawa, who was bleeding from the head, was taken to Sola Civil Hospital in a police 112 vehicle. He received 12 stitches before being admitted to Shalby Hospital on Science City Road for further treatment. Patel and the other injured persons also received treatment at Sola Civil Hospital.
FIR names 14 accused, seven arrested
The FIR names 14 accused: Milan Kanji Rabari, Meet Desai, Maulik Desai, Rahul Desai, Daksh Desai, Jawal Desai, Het Desai, Sendha Rabari, Lalo Rabari, Ragnesh Desai, Vihaji Rabari, Pranshu Koitawad, Arjun Desai and Vishwas Kali. The complainant has also alleged the involvement of 20 to 25 unidentified people. The Bodakdev police registered a case on 9 November under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Seven accused have been arrested so far, while efforts are under way to trace the remaining suspects. Police are also investigating the circumstances surrounding the firing, the injuries sustained by those involved and the individual roles of the accused.
