Ex-DySP fires in air over Ahmedabad land dispute

Ahmedabad: Panic coursed through Nehrunagar on Wednesday evening after a retired deputy superintendent of police allegedly fired five rounds in the air with his licensed weapon during a heated dispute over land possession and rental payments.

According to Satellite police inspector V J Chaudhary, the firing occurred around 5pm behind the Nehrunagar bus stand when retired DySP Ashoksinh Chauhan got into an argument with two men over disputed land documents. The return of money allegedly invested in a commercial project was another flashpoint, police said.

Police said no injuries were reported after the firing.

Chaudhary said Satellite police and crime branch teams, along with an ACP-rank officer, reached the spot immediately after receiving information about the firing. Police later seized the weapon and initiated legal action under the provisions of the Arms Act.

According to police, Chauhan’s son Siddharajsinh Chauhan and daughter were present at the location during the firing.

Police said the dispute centred on a parcel of land near the Nehrunagar bus stand, which had allegedly been rented out for setting up commercial stalls.

Police said that two persons, identified as Haresh and Hitesh Bharbhidiya, had taken the land on rent from Chauhan. However, issues reportedly surfaced after the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation raised objections over incomplete land documents, preventing commercial activity from commencing.

Police said the original ownership of the land was claimed by one Priyam Mehta, while Chauhan allegedly maintained that he had possession.

According to Chaudhary, tensions escalated when the Bharbhidiya brothers approached Chauhan demanding the land documents and the return of money allegedly paid towards rent and deposits.

During the confrontation, Chauhan allegedly became aggressive, abused the complainants, and fired five rounds in the air.

Police have also recovered a luxury car from the spot and collected video footage of the firing that had surfaced online.

A complainant, Jigar Zhapadiya, told police that he had paid a deposit of Rs 1.5 crore and agreed to pay a monthly rent for the land before discovering disputes regarding ownership.

Police said the statements of all parties were being recorded, and further investigation was underway. Chaudhary said that two FIRs were likely to be registered in the case.