Police inspector attacks Patidar community leader booked for attempted murder – India TV

Rajkot: A police inspector in Gujarat’s Rajkot district has been booked for allegedly attacking and injuring a senior official of a prominent Patidar social organization over the latter’s joining the unit, an official said. Inspector Sanjay Padaria was charged with attempted murder following a complaint by the victim.

Why does the police inspector attack the Patidar leader?

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) BJ Chaudhari said Padaria attacked local businessman and Patidar community leader Jayanti Sardhara during the marriage ceremony. According to the FIR, the quarrel allegedly arose out of Sardhara’s decision to join the ‘Sardardham’ organization. Authorities are investigating the incident.

While Sardhara is vice-president of Sardardham’s Saurashtra zone, Inspector Padariya is serving at the State Reserve Police Training Center in Junagadh, Chaudhari said. Sources revealed that Sardhara was earlier associated with another Patidar company, Shree Khodaldham Trust, which was also headed by businessman Naresh Patel.

Chaudhary said that on Monday evening, both Sardhara and the accused inspector had an argument at a marriage function on the outskirts of Rajkot. “According to the FIR, Padaria was unhappy with the complainant’s decision to join Sardardham. Padaria allegedly called Sardhara a “traitor” during an argument at the party. Later, the inspector allegedly beat Padaria in the parking lot. Sardhara claims that Padaria hit him with a gun to his head during an argument,” ACP said.

Padaria charged with assault and attempted murder

Following a complaint lodged by Sardhara, the Rajkot Taluka police registered an FIR against Padaria on Tuesday. According to the official statement, the charges include assault and attempted murder. According to the FIR, Padaria claimed to be an “active member” of Naresh Patel’s team. He further accused Sardhara of “betraying” Patel, who heads the Khodaldham Trust, by joining another branch of the community, Sardardham.

In his complaint, Sardhara alleged that Khodaldham Trust and Patel were unhappy with his decision to join Sardardham.

Khodaldham Trust regarding the incident

The Khodaldham Trust distanced itself from the controversy. In an official statement, the trust clarified that the incident was a matter between two people and the influential Patidar community body or its chief Patel was nowhere involved in it.

“It was a personal matter between two people. Khodaldham was not involved in it. Naresh Patel is currently abroad and has expressed concern over the incident. There is absolutely no difference between Khodaldham and Sardardham. Both of them work for the community (Patidar),” the trust said in a statement.

A powerful trust manages the affairs of the Shree Khodaldham temple dedicated to Goddess Khodiyar, the patron deity of the Leuva Patel community, in Rajkot district. Patidars or Patels constitute about 12 percent of Gujarat’s population and are an influential caste group.

(With PTI inputs)

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