A dispute over an ancestral structure in Babra taluka of Amreli district escalated into a fatal attack, resulting in the death of a 31-year-old man on Thursday. The victim, Bharat Ugrajiya, originally from Fuljar village in Rajkot district and residing in Rangpar, Morbi, was assaulted and his throat was slit on the Kariyana-Jivapar Road.
Background of the dispute
Police investigations suggest that the murder is linked to a long-standing feud over the removal of pillars of an ancestral structure locally referred to as 'Surapura'. According to the complaint lodged by Bharat's wife, Asha Ugrajiya, at Babra police station, Bharat had been repeatedly threatened by his in-laws, who suspected his involvement in the removal of the structure's pillars. He was also warned not to visit Babra.
Sequence of events
On Thursday, Bharat was lured to Babra under the pretext of resolving the dispute. Asha stated that he left Morbi around 2 pm, and she received information around 6 pm that he had been attacked near the Mamadev Temple on Jivapar Road. He was rushed to Babra Government Hospital, where doctors declared him dead upon arrival. Police reported that he sustained a slit throat and head wounds caused by sharp weapons.
Accusations and arrests
Asha accused six relatives — Kiran Jiliya, Jagdish Jiliya, Mahesh Jiliya, Paresh Jiliya, Rohit Jiliya, and Mayur Jiliya — along with three or four unidentified individuals, alleging that the attack was part of a premeditated conspiracy. The investigating officer, R R Parmar, confirmed that Bharat worked as a labourer and is survived by a son and two daughters. Police stated that all six named accused were arrested within hours of the killing, and the weapon used in the crime has also been recovered.
Legal action
A case has been registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, charging the accused with murder and criminal conspiracy. Authorities are continuing their investigation to identify the other individuals involved.
