Surat Councillor's Daughter Targeted in Canada, Threats Traced to Gujarat Businessman
The 27-year-old daughter of a Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) councillor was allegedly attacked with pepper spray in Canada last year, an incident that has now emerged following a cybercrime complaint filed by the family in Surat. The threats and the overseas assault appear to be interconnected, with police identifying a suspect from a political family in Gujarat.
Chronology of Threats and Violence
According to the First Information Report (FIR) lodged by Bhupendra Ravatka, a cable operator and husband of SMC councillor Hemalata Ravatka, the harassment began in August 2023. Their daughter, Ninansha Ravatka, is pursuing physiotherapy studies in Canada while working part-time at a local store.
The initial threat arrived via WhatsApp on August 28, 2023, from an unknown number. The sender followed up on April 17, 2024, with a more explicit message: "Best wishes to your daughter for going abroad to study. Do not do anything wrong to anyone in the city, so that God does not allow anything bad to happen to your daughter. Think twice before indulging in any corruption."
When Bhupendra Ravatka did not respond, the sender challenged him to file a police complaint on April 30, 2024. After a period of silence, Ravatka approached Lalgate police station on May 18, 2025.
Escalation to Physical Attacks in Canada
The situation intensified dramatically in Canada. On July 27, 2025, Ninansha was allegedly assaulted by three individuals who sprayed pepper spray on her. This was followed by another attempted attack on August 4, 2025, and a vehicular incident on October 17, 2025, where her car was struck by another vehicle while she was returning home.
Concerned for her safety, the family brought Ninansha back to Surat for treatment on November 7, 2025. After recovering, she returned to Canada on December 24, 2025, to resume her studies. However, further harassment forced her to return to Surat permanently on January 18, 2026.
Police Investigation and Suspect Identification
Suspecting a link between the threats received in Surat and the attacks in Canada, the family filed a comprehensive complaint with Surat Cyber police. Investigation Officer R R Desai stated that technical analysis traced the threatening number to a dummy SIM card issued in the name of a Dahod resident.
The actual user was identified as Mohammad Asfaq Rifai, son of a former municipal councillor. Police have issued him a notice and booked him under multiple legal provisions:
- BNS Sections 504 (Intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace) and 507 (Criminal intimidation by anonymous communication)
- Section 66-C of the Information Technology Act (Identity theft)
Desai added, "We are investigating whether the threats were linked to business issues or if there is another angle. The connection between the Surat-based threats and the Canadian incidents is a key focus of our inquiry."
The case highlights growing concerns about transnational harassment and the vulnerability of Indian students abroad. Authorities continue to investigate the motives behind what appears to be a coordinated campaign against the councillor's family.
