Bride’s Family Sets In-Laws’ House on Fire Over Suspicious Death; 14 Police Officers Injured in Stone-Pelting Incident in Rampur
An incident of stone-pelting has been reported from Rampur village in Malpur. The situation escalated following allegations from the bride’s family regarding the suspicious death of a young woman. They accused the groom’s side of involvement and went to the in-laws’ house, leading to stone-pelting and unrest.
When the police arrived to mediate, they were also attacked with stones by the bride’s side, resulting in injuries to 10 police officers. Additionally, the windows of the police vehicle were smashed.
To control the situation, the police resorted to a lathi charge to disperse the crowd, leading to the arrest of 8 individuals for questioning. Subsequently, the police registered a case against 27 named individuals and a mob of around 200 people, initiating legal action.
Death of Young Woman on the Way to Hospital
Manisha Ritesh Tarar (aged 22) from Nathavas village in Malpur was married three years ago to Ritesh, who works at a petrol pump, while her in-laws are engaged in farming. On the afternoon of September 2, Manisha began experiencing vomiting and anxiety at her residence in Rampur.
Her husband, Ritesh, was called home from the petrol pump, and Manisha’s mother, Premila Khant, and other family members were also summoned to Rampur. Subsequently, Manisha was taken to Meghraj for treatment in Punabhai’s vehicle.
Despite receiving initial treatment, the doctors advised further care at Modasa Krishna Hospital. Upon reaching the hospital, Manisha’s father, Ranchhod Khant, and brother, Musa Khant, were present. The doctor examined Manisha in the ambulance and pronounced her dead.
Bride’s Family Accuses In-Laws Following Her Death
Manisha’s body was brought to her residence in Rampur in the same ambulance. There, Manisha’s father, brother, and other villagers from Nathavas expressed doubts about her death and accused her in-laws.
After Manisha’s death, her father-in-law, Ranchhodbhai Tarar, went to inform the Malpur police station. Upon learning of the allegations from Manisha’s family, the Malpur PSI informed the Bayad Dy.SP about the situation.
The police conducted a panchnama of the body and transported it to Malpur CHC for post-mortem. However, Manisha’s family raised further suspicions, accusing her in-laws of causing her death.
As tensions escalated, it was reported that the bride’s family had arrived in Rampur with wooden planks, iron pipes, and stones. Recognizing the worsening situation, the Malpur PSI alerted the district police chief and requested additional security arrangements.
200-Strong Mob Sets In-Laws’ House on Fire
On September 3, in response to escalating tensions, two police officers, including the Bayad Dy.SP, were dispatched to Rampur to manage the situation. Given the gravity of the situation, additional forces were deployed from across the district, including LCB PI, SOG PSI, Sathamba PI, Dhansura PSI, Meghraj PI, and numerous officers from Dhansura, Bayad, and Meghraj.
At the scene, the Nathavas family was seen hurling stones and causing disruption. The police attempted to calm the situation by advising them to come to the Malpur police station to file their complaints. Despite this, the Nathavas family grew more aggressive and began attacking the police with sharp stones, with the intention of causing harm.
Attack on Police: Stones, Wooden Planks, and Destruction
The Nathavas family aggressively shouted, demanding that the police be dealt with and that roads be blocked. Some individuals were armed with wooden planks and iron pipes. The Sathamba PI, G.S. Swami, was struck on the head, and other officers and police personnel were attacked with stones and wooden planks.
Despite the police using a loudspeaker to announce that they should not take the law into their own hands, the crowd grew even more violent. The police responded with force to disperse the mob.
Alleged perpetrators Ranchhod Khant, Ritesh Khant, and others vandalized the Meghraj police station’s official vehicle, breaking its windows. The driver, Rajesh Babulal, was assaulted, and his baton and helmet were stolen. Furthermore, Ranchhod Tarar’s house was targeted; it was broken into, set on fire, and ₹50,000 kept inside was stolen.
Police File Complaint Against 27 Named Individuals and 200-Strong Mob
The police have arrested eight individuals from the mob and brought them to the Malpur police station for questioning. Based on their statements, the police have filed a complaint against 27 named individuals and the 200-strong mob. The charges include:
- Attack on Police Officers: Intent to kill police personnel.
- Damage to Government Property: Breaking windows of a government vehicle, resulting in a loss of ₹55,000.
- Theft: Stealing a baton and helmet worth ₹350.
- Theft and Arson: Stealing ₹50,000 saved by the deceased’s father-in-law and setting the house on fire.
The investigation is ongoing, and the deceased’s body is currently stored at the Modasa cold storage.
Injured Police Officers in Stone-Pelting Incident
- G.S. Swami (PI, Sathamba Police Station): Injured on the head by being struck with a wooden plank.
- M.L. Sisodiya (PSI, Meghraj Police Station): Injured on the right shoulder by being hit with a wooden plank.
- K.S. Chavda (CPI, Modasa): Injured on the right hand by being struck with a stone.
- G.R. Chaudhary (SOG, PSI): Injured on the right shoulder by being hit with a wooden plank.
- S.R. Damor (PI, Leave Reserve): Sustained injuries to the right hand.
Injured Police Constables
- Prakashbhai Dolabhai
- Avinash Amrutbhai
- Navneet Savji Bhai
- Rajendra Singh (ASI)
- Pinkesh Mahendrabhai
- Mehulbhai Kantilalbhai
- Shailesh Kumar Kanjibhai
- Rajendrabhai Kantilalbhai
- Jinalben Amrutbhai
Arrested Accused by Police
- Manaji Devaji Khant
- Shailesh Bhemji Khant
- Vikram Jagaji Tarar
- Bhavji Khemji Dabi
- Kamlesh Jeshingbhai Dabi
- Ravi Mohanbhai Khant
- Girish Dhulabhai Nat
All residents of Nathavas, Taluka Malpur.
- Mohanbhai Dineshbhai Dabi (Resident of Shampur, Chhapra, Taluka Dhansura)
The police have filed a complaint and initiated an investigation against the other 27 named individuals and the 200-strong mob who fled during the interrogation of the arrested suspects.
