Two arrested after firing near Nageshwar

Rajkot: A firing incident near Nageshwar on the Rajkot–Jamnagar highway triggered heavy police deployment and led to the arrest of a history-sheeter and an alleged photojournalist on Saturday evening.

The incident took place around 4.30 pm inside the compound of a commercial premises in the area. Following reports of gunfire, teams from Gandhigram police station, the DCP Zone 2 Local Crime Branch and the Special Operations Group rushed to the spot.

Police sub-inspector Dhara Joshi of Gandhigram police station lodged a complaint against Ramdev Dangar, a known history-sheeter, and Divyarajsinh Sarvaiya, described as an alleged photojournalist, under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Arms Act.

According to the complaint, police received information about the firing around 7.45pm. On reaching the spot, officers questioned the security guard, who confirmed that gunshots had been heard earlier in the afternoon.

Police examined CCTV footage from the premises, which allegedly shows a silver-coloured car entering the compound at high speed around 4.30pm. A man is seen stepping out of the driver’s seat and allegedly opening fire at another man standing under a tree. Two persons then rushed out from a nearby room, while the targeted individual allegedly brandished a weapon and pointed it back at the attacker.

During the scuffle, several people intervened in an attempt to separate the two sides. Police said Sarvaiya allegedly fired two rounds during the confrontation, further escalating the situation and causing panic in the area.

Officials said neither party approached police to file a complaint. Acting on CCTV footage and other evidence, a suo motu case was registered and both accused were arrested.

ACP South Division B J Chaudhary said Dangar has around 15 criminal cases against him, including offences under PASA, and was recently released on bail. His criminal record includes charges of murder, attempt to murder, rioting, obstructing police duty and extortion.

Preliminary investigation suggests the clash stemmed from a financial dispute between the two men.

Police said Sarvaiya possessed a licensed firearm, while Dangar allegedly carried an illegal weapon. Both weapons have been seized and sent for forensic examination. Sarvaiya is also the son of a retired assistant sub-inspector (ASI), police added.