Ahmedabad: Three more persons were detained by Khokhra police on Wednesday in connection with the defiling of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar’s bust in the Khokhra area earlier this week. The incident, which occurred at Jayantilal Vakil Chawl opposite KK Shastri College on Monday, sparked protests.
The police conducted a crime scene reconstruction on Wednesday morning with the previously arrested suspects, Mehul Thakor (31) and Bhola Thakor (20), who reside in Jugaldas Chawl near the Madhavpura locality.
ACP I Division Krunal Desa said, “We detained three more suspects. If their role is established, then they will be arrested soon. However, we feel that the trio are involved in the crime.”
The Khokhra police filed charges under Section 196 (promoting enmity between different groups on the grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, etc.) and Section 298 (defiling place of worship, with intent to insult the religion of any class) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) Act, along with the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
The protests concluded after authorities installed a new bust at the original location. Members of the Dalit community, Congress workers, and councillors participated in the demonstration.
Police investigations revealed that the perpetrators had an ongoing dispute with Jayantilal Vakil Chawl residents and committed the act after consuming alcohol on Sunday night.