A horrifying incident unfolded in Mota village of Banaskantha district in Gujarat, as a Dalit man and his mother were allegedly subjected to a vicious assault by a group of individuals belonging to an upper caste community. The attackers reportedly expressed their displeasure with the victim's attire, which included well-dressed clothing and sunglasses. The victim, identified as Jigar Shekhalia, lodged a complaint, leading to the filing of a First Information Report (FIR) against seven accused persons involved in the assault.
According to the complaint, the incident took place on Tuesday night when one of the accused approached Jigar outside his house. Engaging in verbal abuse and issuing death threats, the accused expressed their dissatisfaction with Jigar's "elevated status." Later that same night, six individuals with Rajput surnames, armed with sticks, confronted Jigar near a village temple. They questioned his choice of clothing and sunglasses before launching a brutal attack, dragging him behind a nearby dairy parlour.
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Jigar's mother rushed to his aid, only to face assault herself, including threats of violence and the tearing of her clothes. The police, taking cognizance of the complaint, registered an FIR at Gadh police station. The accused have been charged under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), covering offenses such as rioting, unlawful assembly, outraging the modesty of a woman, causing hurt, and using abusive language. Additionally, they face charges under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
As of now, no arrests have been made in connection with the incident, as confirmed by police officials. The Dalit man and his mother are currently receiving medical treatment for the injuries sustained during the attack, while the community grapples with the shocking act of caste-based violence that has shaken the village.
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(With PTI Inputs)
