In a significant breakthrough, the Chowk Bazar police in Surat have solved a murder case that was initially recorded as an accidental death nearly two-and-a-half months ago. The investigation led to the arrest of a 20-year-old textile labourer, whose crime was allegedly triggered by a petty quarrel.
From Accident to Murder: The Police's Persistent Doubt
The body of 40-year-old Sahil Shah was discovered on October 14 in the Rehmatnagar area, bearing injuries to his head. While the initial postmortem report pointed towards death due to these head injuries, the police remained unconvinced. Officers persistently expressed their suspicions to doctors regarding the nature of the wounds, believing there was more to the story than a simple accident.
Chowk Bazar police inspector N G Chaudhary stated that the force was suspicious from the very beginning. "After the postmortem and FSL reports, it became clear that the cause of death was injury. However, we repeatedly discussed our doubts with doctors, and it was finally established that the victim was struck with a blunt object, leading to his death," he explained.
The Fateful Night and a Calculated Move
The victim, Sahil Shah, survived on petty jobs and led a vagabond life, despite having a wife and two children residing in Surat. The incident unfolded in the early hours of October 14. The accused, Ganesh Polai, was standing near Patel Industries around 2 am when Shah approached him.
According to the police, Shah allegedly tried to snatch Polai's mobile phone. A scuffle ensued, during which Polai picked up a stick lying on the road and struck Shah on the head. After Shah collapsed, Polai fled the scene.
In a twist, Polai returned to the location around 7 am after work and found a crowd gathered. Seeing Shah still lying there unconscious, he made a calculated move. Polai called an ambulance, believing this act would divert suspicion away from him. He also thought that if Shah recovered, he would be out of danger. However, the ambulance staff declared Shah dead on the spot.
The Crack in the Case and Confession
The breakthrough came when police circulated the victim's photograph during the investigation. Constables Nilesh Mayabhai and Pravinsinh Deepsinh received a crucial tip-off that Polai had quarrelled with Shah on the day of the incident. Based on this information, Polai was detained for questioning.
Under interrogation, the 20-year-old labourer broke down and confessed to the crime. His arrest has brought a tragic case to a close, revealing how a minor altercation escalated into a fatal attack. The police's refusal to accept the initial accidental death theory proved pivotal in delivering justice.
