Ahmedabad Man Fatally Stabbed Near Crime Branch Office in Late-Night Attack
A shocking incident unfolded in Ahmedabad late Wednesday night when a 25-year-old man was stabbed to death barely 100 meters from the Crime Branch office and the Gaekwad Haveli police station. The victim, identified as Akash Od, a salesman at a sari shop in Ratan Pol, succumbed to multiple stab wounds on the spot near Alankar Driving School in Jamalpur around 10 pm.
Police Crack Case Within Hours, Arrest Three Accused
Gaekwad Haveli police swiftly acted, cracking the case within hours and arresting three individuals: Meet Rathod (20), Shahid Pathan (22), and Sohil Neerashi (19). The trio has been booked for murder and abetment under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). According to police officials, the murder stemmed from a dispute linked to a mobile game that escalated dramatically.
Mobile Game Quarrel Alleged as Motive by Police
Investigators revealed that the fatal attack was the fallout of a quarrel that broke out a day earlier. On Tuesday around 10:30 pm, Rathod was sitting below Suvidha Flats when Od arrived with two friends on a motorcycle. The accused and the deceased engaged in a heated argument and physical altercation while playing a mobile game near a residential complex. Although a temporary compromise was reached, the accused allegedly held a grudge.
"The accused chased the victim and attacked him with a sharp weapon, leading to fatal injuries," an officer stated. On Wednesday night, the accused and his friends followed Od and his three companions, stopping them near Alankar Driving School, where Rathod stabbed Od multiple times, causing his death.
Family Refutes Mobile Game Angle, Alleges Drug Abuse and Personal Rivalry
However, the victim's family has strongly refuted the mobile game angle presented by the police. Akash Od's brother, Jayesh Od, who filed the official complaint, alleged that the accused were intoxicated at the time of the incident. "This was not about a game. My brother was killed due to personal rivalry and drug abuse. They were under the influence of MD drugs," he claimed, highlighting a stark contrast in narratives.
The family's allegations point to a deeper, more personal enmity fueled by substance abuse, suggesting that the mobile game dispute might have been a superficial trigger or misdirection. This discrepancy raises questions about the thoroughness of the initial investigation and the underlying social issues in the area.
Community Shock and Safety Concerns in Ahmedabad
The brazen nature of the attack, occurring so close to law enforcement offices, has sent shockwaves through the local community in Ahmedabad. Residents are expressing concerns over public safety and the prevalence of violent disputes, whether stemming from trivial matters like mobile games or more serious issues like drug abuse. The incident underscores the urgent need for enhanced vigilance and community policing efforts to prevent such tragedies in the future.
As the investigation continues, authorities are likely to delve deeper into both the mobile game dispute and the drug abuse allegations to ascertain the true motive behind this heinous crime. The case serves as a grim reminder of how quickly conflicts can escalate into fatal violence, demanding greater awareness and intervention from all stakeholders.
