Rajkot: A 50-year-old man was allegedly abducted, tied to a tree, and brutally assaulted by villagers in Khera village of Rajula taluka in Amreli district after his son eloped with a young woman from the village. The situation escalated further when a mob allegedly attacked a police team that arrived to rescue the victim, leaving five cops injured.
Police have registered two separate FIRs in connection with the incident and booked more than 60 people for abduction, assault, rioting, and obstructing government servants from performing their duties.
The Incident
The victim, Devshi Gujariya, stated in his complaint that his son and the daughter of a local resident Dhiru Shiyal were in a relationship and had left together on June 15. Later that morning, Devshi went to visit his daughter in Hindorna village when a group of men arrived there, dragged him out of her house, and took him back to Khera.
Devshi alleged that he was tied to a tree with a rope and repeatedly beaten with sticks and ropes. He claimed that the assault was carried out in retaliation for his son’s relationship with the woman.
Police Rescue Turns Violent
After receiving information about the incident, the village sarpanch alerted the police. A team from Pipavav police rushed to Khera village and traced Devshi to the residence of Dhiru Shiyal, where efforts were initiated to secure his release.
However, the rescue operation soon turned violent. As officers attempted to free the captive man, a mob of around 50 people gathered and allegedly attacked the police team with stones and sticks. A complaint was filed by constable Magan Dhapa of the Chanch outpost.
Five policemen, including a sub-inspector, sustained injuries and were later provided medical treatment. Despite resistance from the crowd, police rescued Devshi and shifted him to Rajula Government Hospital.
Legal Action
Rajula police have registered an FIR against 16 named persons, while Pipavav police have booked around 50 people, including relatives of the main accused, for attacking the cops.
