Man consumes herbicide after police ‘brutality’ in Gujarat’s Dwarka, two cops suspended after he dies 10 days later in hospital

Ajit Jadeja, an uncle of the deceased, told The Indian Express, “On August 17, Karan and his friend were riding a bike when the Vadinar police stopped them, booked them for driving under the influence of alcohol, and thrashed them — first in the open near a check post and then at the Vadinar Harbour police chowki. Karan was deeply affected by this incident and he consumed the herbicide ‘Sarvanash’ on August 18.”

Ajit further said, “We first took him to the hospital in Khambhalia and from there to a private hospital in Rajkot, where he underwent several rounds of dialysis over a week. But the infection did not stop and we ran out of money so we moved him to GG General Hospital in Jamnagar. He died on August 29.”

Ajit said the family learnt about the alleged police brutality only after Karan’s suicide attempt. “It was only when his parents took him to the hospital that someone told them that Karan had posted a video (reel) on his Instagram account, speaking about how he and his friend were thrashed by the police.”

The family also took another video of Karan, shot in the hospital, where he recounted the entire incident with the names of two police personnel, saying, “They broke two sticks and a broom while hitting us and still continued beating us.” The Indian Express has seen these videos provided by the family.

Karan and his friend worked at an oil refinery. Karan is survived by his father Malaji Nathubha Jadeja, an electrician, mother and elder sister.

Following Karan’s death, villagers and the Jadeja community went up in arms, demanding action against the police personnel allegedly involved in the brutality. The family claimed that despite agreeing to accept Karan’s body and completing his last rites following assurances by the police, no action had been taken till Monday.

Dwarka Superintendent of Police Jayrajsinh Vala told The Indian Express, “We have suspended the two police personnel including Head Constable Pradipsinh Gohil and Police Constable Karsanbhai. Since they were posted at Vadinar police station, we have handed over the investigation to the Inspector of Khambhalia police station.”

On Monday, Isudan Gadhvi, the Gujarat chief of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), visited Karan’s family and offered his condolences.

In a statement, Gadhvi said, “The Chief Minister and Home Minister are saying that law and order is fine in Gujarat and no one is spared, then I want to tell you that today I am standing in Bharana village of Dwarka district: Here, two youths from this village were beaten with sticks in public by the police and an FIR is filed and they were also insulted repeatedly. Due to this, a 21-year-old youth took medicine and died. The insult caused by the police affected him a lot which is why he took this step. The youth had given the same statement from the hospital and after that, he died. Despite this, the police have not filed a complaint against the officials responsible in this matter.”

Gadhvi said, “How can the Home Minister and Chief Minister of Gujarat sleep if a son leaves this world due to police atrocities? The Home Minister and Chief Minister need to wake up their souls. What will you do if such an incident happens to your children? The family has gone to the SP and the family also has a video of the young man in which he himself is talking about this incident, so what other evidence does the police still need? I request the Chief Minister that you have a shred of mercy and form an SIT under the chairmanship of a retired judge and investigate this entire incident.”

Gadhvi said, “A case of murder should be registered against any policeman who is guilty in this incident and strictest action should be taken against the police staff who committed atrocity on this young man from the Rajput community.”