The Ahmedabad Crime Branch on Wednesday apprehended a police constable, Virendrasinh Padheriya, accused of fatally stabbing a 23-year-old MBA student in an alleged road rage incident.
The victim, Priyanshu Jain, a second-year student at MICA, succumbed to stab wounds on November 11, following an altercation in Bopal area of the city. Padheriya, who had been serving at Sarkhej Police Station, reportedly fled to Punjab after the incident.
Officials on Tuesday evening released the sketch of the suspect and sought public help to identify the man. Authorities tracked him down, identifying him as the driver of a black Harrier with a missing number plate traced to the state.
He was detained by the Crime Branch and legal procedures for his transfer back to Ahmedabad are underway.
According to the FIR, the altercation unfolded on November 10, when Priyanshu and his batchmate, Prithviraj Mahapatra, were returning to campus on a motorcycle after visiting several locations in the city.
While waiting at a turn, a car sped towards them, prompting Priyanshu to call out to the driver, questioning his speed. This led to a confrontation, with the driver pursuing them and, upon stopping, accusing the students of driving incorrectly.
The confrontation escalated when Padheriya allegedly pulled out a knife and stabbed Priyanshu after a brief scuffle, during which Priyanshu lost his balance. Mahapatra attempted to seek help and a bystander ultimately took Priyanshu to a local hospital, where he was later declared dead.
The accused constable, who had been on sick leave since October 29, left his home last Sunday, claiming he was going on holiday to Punjab and Haryana.
Virendrasinh Padheriya has ‘Shady’ Past
Known as a controversial figure in the force, Padheriya had previously been suspended in connection with the Satellite call centre case. He was later reassigned to various police stations, with his latest posting at Sarkhej.
Further investigation revealed that Padheriya abandoned his vehicle after the incident and borrowed another car from a friend to reach Punjab.
Ahmedabad police traced his movements and identified the black Harrier, which led them to his location. Padheriya now faces charges under Section 103(1) of BNS and Section 135 of Gujarat Police Act.
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