Summons Issued Against IPS Karanraj Vaghela, 4 Others Over Bhavnagar Trader Assault
Four years ago, a Bhavnagar trader filed a complaint in court against then-DCP Karanraj Vaghela and five other police officers from Vadodara. The police allegedly assaulted the trader in Bhavnagar before taking him to Vadodara, where the beatings continued. The trader presented CCTV evidence in court, leading to a Vadodara court issuing summons against the accused officers, including IPS Karanraj Vaghela.
CCTV Evidence of Police Assault Surfaces
CCTV footage from the incident four years ago has come to light, showing police officers in civilian clothes brutally assaulting the trader inside his shop in Bhavnagar. The footage has become crucial evidence in the case.
November 2020 Incident: Bhavnagar Trader Beaten
According to lawyer Darshan Patel, Ashishkumar Laljibhai Chauhan, a Bhavnagar resident and owner of Shakti Computers, was assaulted on November 29, 2020. On that day, Ashish and his worker Parvez were present in the shop when PSI B.S. Selana, accompanied by Amardeep Singh Pratapsingh Chauhan, Head Constable Thakorbhai Shanabhai Patanwadia, and ASI Mehuldan Khimrajbhai, entered the shop in civilian clothes.
Trader Threatened, Beaten, and Abducted
The officers accused Ashish Chauhan of fraud and verbally abused him, forcing him into a car under threat. When he tried to call his father, the officers assaulted him. They also slapped his worker when he tried to intervene. Ashish was forcibly dragged out of his shop, beaten, and abducted in a car. After driving him around for half an hour, they took him to Gangajalia Talav police station and later to Ghodharoad police station, where the beatings continued. When Ashish’s brother Bhavesh came to intervene, the police assaulted him as well.
PVC Pipe Assault Allegations in Vadodara
Ashish Chauhan was later brought to Manjalpur police station in Vadodara, where PSI B.S. Selana allegedly handcuffed him and beat him with a PVC pipe after tying him to a wall bracket. Then-DCP Karanraj Vaghela also participated in the assault. The police officers allegedly threatened Ashish against filing a complaint.
CCTV Evidence Presented in Court
Ashish Chauhan filed a complaint in court, supported by CCTV footage, against then-DCP Karanraj Vaghela, PSI B.S. Selana, and three other officers. The Vadodara court ordered summons to be issued under Section 204 of the Criminal Procedure Code, scheduling a hearing for December 18, 2024.
Background of the Case
According to lawyer Darshan Patel, the case stemmed from a car deal conducted outside Ashish Chauhan’s shop. The car was reportedly stolen, and a complaint about the theft had been filed at Manjalpur police station in Vadodara. Ashish was accused of being involved in the case, leading to his abduction and assault by the Vadodara police.
