Gujarat: Hindu woman, family harassed by Muslim men while going to a Garba event; Shoaib Shah Fakir and 2 others arrested

On Saturday night (17 October), a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) woman municipal councillor and her family were harassed and threatened twice while travelling to a Raas Garba event in Ahmedabad. Police said three people have been arrested in connection with the incident.

The councillor is from the Isanpur area. She was travelling with her son and two others, using Google Maps to reach the Garba venue. The incident began near Fatehwadi Canal after an argument over giving way to another car. According to police, the dispute escalated when the perpetrator, identified as Shoaib Shah Fakir, stopped the councillor’s car, abused her family and engaged in misconduct. Local residents intervened, and the family continued their journey.

Near Sarkhej, the horror continued; the same group of Muslim men harassed the family again. Fakir and two other men threatened and harassed the woman during this second incident. When the woman councillor rolled down her car window to speak, the accused grabbed her hand and tried to pull her out of the vehicle, said ACP AB Valand.

Shoaib and his group also attempted to break the car window and open its door. The vehicle’s side mirror was also damaged in the incident, according to the police account.

The terrified family sought help by calling the emergency helpline 112. Police reached the spot promptly and initiated action. Vejalpur police registered a case against all three, including Shoaib Shah Fakir. They have been charged with molestation, assault and obscene behaviour. All three have been arrested, and further legal proceedings are underway.