Man Killed in Gandhinagar Lynching Over Scooter Theft Suspicion

A 30-year-old man from Aravalli district has died after being allegedly lynched by three men in Gandhinagar over suspicions of scooter theft. The incident occurred in the early hours of March 15, 2024, and has prompted a police investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Kalpesh Katara.

According to a First Information Report (FIR) filed by Kalpesh’s elder brother, Arvind Katara, with the Dabhoda police, Kalpesh was brutally beaten by three individuals—identified as Yash Darji, Nikunj Patel, and Sanjay Barot—who reside in Lawarpur village, Gandhinagar. The FIR alleges that the trio acted on their suspicion that Kalpesh had stolen a scooter belonging to Darji.

On the night of March 14, Kalpesh had gone out with a friend from Vaktapur. The following morning, his family received alarming news from the Dabhoda police station, informing them that Kalpesh had been involved in an accident and was admitted to Gandhinagar Civil Hospital. Unfortunately, he succumbed to his injuries during treatment, prompting his family to seek justice.

The events leading to the incident began when Darji reported his scooter stolen on Monday. That night, he, along with Patel and Barot, set out to locate the vehicle. Around 02:00, they allegedly spotted someone riding the scooter near Gambhoi crossroads. The rider, later identified as Kalpesh, attempted to flee but lost control and fell into a roadside ditch.

Inspector G K Bharwad of the Dabhoda police stated that instead of contacting law enforcement, the men pulled Kalpesh out of the ditch and proceeded to assault him. The FIR indicates that they transported him to a location where they continued to beat him, resulting in severe injuries that ultimately led to his death.

The accused contacted the police around 03:15, reporting that they had apprehended a thief. By the time authorities arrived, Kalpesh was unconscious and required urgent medical attention. After being transported to the hospital, he was pronounced dead at approximately 08:30.

A panel of doctors conducted a postmortem examination and documented multiple injuries on Kalpesh’s body. The Dabhoda police have since registered a murder case under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, as Kalpesh belonged to a scheduled tribe. The three accused individuals have been arrested and are now facing serious charges.

As the investigation unfolds, this tragic incident has raised questions about mob justice and the dangers of taking the law into one’s own hands. Local authorities are urging the community to refrain from vigilantism and to report any thefts or criminal activities to the police instead.