The ‘Gujarat Model’, often cited for its development and governance, is under scrutiny as Ahmedabad faces a surge in criminal incidents. Recent reports show five murders in just 10 days, raising concerns over law and order. However, city Police Commissioner GS Malik has claimed that the situation is under control.
In a press briefing on Monday, Malik said that “there is no need to panic and both the city Crime Branch and local police stations are doing their job to ensure safety.”
Official crime data paints a contrasting picture, reporting 79 murders, 75 attempted murders, 10 armed robberies, 96 loot cases, 312 burglaries, 3,150 thefts and 51 riots this year. These figures seem to challenge the Police Commissioner’s assertions of effective law enforcement.
The spate of murders began on November 7 in the Kagdapith area, where a young man was fatally attacked with a sword near Jayant Pandit Nagar. While the three attackers initially fled, two minors were later arrested.
In Nehrunagar, vegetable vendor Badaji Modi was shot dead by motorcycle-borne attackers near Dharanidhar Road. Despite being rushed to hospital, Modi succumbed to his injuries on Sunday morning.
An NRI from California, Deepakbhai Patel, was killed in Bopal area after being struck on the head with a stone near Garodiya village on Godhavi-Manipur Road. Police arrested his business partner, citing a personal dispute as the motive.
Another murder on November 10 in Bopal, where college student Priyanshu Jain, 23, was killed after an argument. The accused, a police constable named Virendrasinh Padheriya, fled to Punjab but was apprehended by the Crime Branch on November 13.
The fifth murder occurred in Chandkheda, involving a gang-related dispute that led to the death of Sardarji Gopal Vanzara. The city Crime Branch has arrested eight individuals linked to the incident.
Addressing the rising concerns, Malik stated, “Ahmedabad police is dedicated to reducing crimes. Our officers are working hard to nab the accused in all cases, as seen in the Bopal murder case. We are ensuring the crime rate remains under control.”
Despite these assurances, the string of murders has cast doubt on the effectiveness of law enforcement in the city, raising questions about the touted governance model.
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