Botad's Chilling Chain of Witness Murders: Three Dalit Victims Over Seven Years
In a deeply disturbing pattern emerging from Gujarat's Botad district, a chain of murders has claimed three lives over seven years, with each victim belonging to the Dalit community and serving as a witness to the previous killing. The sequence, which began in 2019, has left authorities probing whether these are targeted attacks designed to silence witnesses in a continuing cycle of violence.
The First Murder: Manji Solanki in 2019
The tragic chain commenced on June 19, 2019, with the brutal killing of Manji Solanki, husband of the sarpanch of Jalila village in Ranpur taluka. According to police reports, Solanki was riding his motorcycle on the Barwala-Ranpur highway when a car deliberately rammed into him. Following the collision, a group armed with iron pipes and sticks assaulted him mercilessly, inflicting serious injuries. Despite being rushed to a hospital in Ahmedabad for treatment, Solanki succumbed to his wounds. An FIR was promptly registered against six accused individuals in connection with this murder.
The Second Victim: Witness Rajesh Makwana in 2023
The chain continued four years later when Rajesh Makwana, who had become a witness in Solanki's murder case, was himself killed on September 6, 2023. The attack occurred near Aksharwadi on the road to Bagad village in Ranpur taluka. Makwana's complaint detailed how Dhiru Khachar, Haresh Khachar, Kishor Khachar, Raghu Khachar, and three unidentified persons arrived in two vehicles—a Swift car and an Alto car. They forcibly stopped him, dragged him aside, and assaulted him with pipes and sticks, resulting in fractures in both legs and injuries to his hand.
The attackers also destroyed his mobile phone and issued death threats. Initially taken to a hospital in Botad, Makwana was later shifted to Bhavnagar, where he died during treatment. Police initially registered attempt to murder charges, which were subsequently upgraded to murder. In a haunting twist, a video of Makwana narrating the attack on him went viral just hours before his death, adding to the tragedy.
The Latest Killing: Witness Sanjay Vaghela in 2026
Now, a second witness in this grim chain has been murdered. On March 23, 2026, Sanjay Vaghela, a witness in the Makwana murder case, was found dead in a field near Godhavata village. According to the complaint filed by his brother Mehul Vaghela, Sanjay had left home in the evening, stating he was going to Godhavata. When he failed to return, his family searched for him and attempted to contact him via phone, but his mobile remained unreachable.
In the early hours, police informed the family that Kalu Jumra, a resident originally from Alirajpur in Madhya Pradesh and currently staying near Godhavata, had reported a dispute. The family then reached the field of Raju Gadhvi, where Sanjay was discovered lying dead. The complaint notes that Sanjay had injury marks on his neck, face, legs, and back, with soil found in his mouth and nose. His car and mobile phone were located near the spot.
An FIR has been registered against Jumra, Gadhvi, and others for murder. Police suspect that Vaghela's killing may be directly linked to his role as a witness in the 2023 murder case of Rajesh Makwana, suggesting a deliberate pattern to eliminate those with knowledge of the crimes.
Community Link and Ongoing Investigation
All three victims—Manji Solanki, Rajesh Makwana, and Sanjay Vaghela—belonged to the Dalit community, raising serious concerns about targeted violence. The investigation into both the 2023 and 2026 murder cases is being handled by DySP Maharshi Raval of the SC-ST cell, highlighting the sensitivity and potential caste-based dimensions of these incidents.
This chain of murders over seven years underscores a chilling reality: witnesses in criminal cases, particularly from marginalized communities, may face extreme risks. As authorities delve deeper, the focus remains on uncovering whether these killings are part of a coordinated effort to obstruct justice and perpetuate violence against the Dalit community in Botad.
