Surat Police Arrest 13 for Torturing Family Over Alleged Elopement
In a shocking incident from Surat, the Bardoli Rural police have taken decisive action by arresting 13 persons, which includes five women, for their alleged involvement in the brutal torture of three members of a family residing in Masad village. The arrests were made on Thursday following a complaint that stemmed from an incident where a young man from the family reportedly eloped with a girl from a different community, sparking violent retaliation.
Details of the Assault and Arrests
The victims, identified as Jainish Rathod (24), a labourer, his mother Nayna, and another woman named Anita, were subjected to a horrific ordeal on February 2. According to the police report, they were allegedly beaten, paraded through the village, and then assaulted again after being tied to a tree. A video of this distressing scene later surfaced, capturing the women crying for help while bound to the tree, which played a crucial role in prompting police intervention.
Among those arrested are Sudhir Patel, his wife Shila, their son Mayur, and ten other individuals. They have been booked under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for their alleged roles in the attack. The complaint was formally lodged by Jainish Rathod, who detailed the assault and the events leading up to it.
Background of the Elopement Incident
The root cause of this violence appears to be the suspected elopement of Jainish's elder brother, Rakshak (27), with Hiral Patel (22), a resident of the same village. Police have indicated that the two were believed to be friends, and both remained untraceable until Thursday night, adding to the tension in the community.
Following Hiral's disappearance, her family members, relatives, and other community members allegedly gathered outside the Rathod residence, demanding the girl's return. The situation escalated rapidly as the crowd dragged the victims out of their home, assaulted them, and paraded them through the village. Women in the mob were reported to have actively participated in the assault, despite the victims' repeated assertions that they had no information about Hiral's whereabouts.
Police Intervention and Victim Support
Initially, the victim family was hesitant to file a complaint, but after the video of the incident went viral, police contacted them and convinced them to come forward. A police officer involved in the case stated, "The victim family was not ready to lodge a complaint earlier, but after the video surfaced, police contacted them and convinced them to do so." This highlights the critical role of digital evidence in ensuring justice and protecting vulnerable individuals in such situations.
The arrests underscore the authorities' commitment to upholding law and order, particularly in cases involving communal tensions and mob violence. The use of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita in booking the accused reflects the legal framework being applied to address such grievous offenses.
As the investigation continues, police are working to trace the whereabouts of Rakshak and Hiral, while ensuring the safety and support of the victim family. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for community harmony and the importance of legal recourse over vigilante justice.
