Two cops among 7 had stabbed to death Jasdan man

Rajkot: Seven persons including two cops were booked for allegedly stabbing a 22-year-old man to death and injuring his friend following a trivial altercation at Indira Circle on 150-feet Ring Road in Rajkot on Wednesday night.
The deceased was identified as Kuldeep Khawad, a resident of Polarpar Road in Jasdan of Rajkot district. Khawad had come to Rajkot along with his friend Abhilav Khachar, who was scheduled to appear before a court in a murder case. The accused cops were identified as Hiren Kheradia, constable with Rajkot traffic police, and Vijay Dangar, constable with Pradyumannagar police station.

While one of the accused was identified as Arjunsinh Chauhan, identities of four others are yet to be ascertained. According to police, Khawad and Khachar had gone to a roadside cart selling ice candies. There Kheradia, Dangar, Chauhan and the other accused sat hurling abuses. When Khawad and Khachar objected to this, one of the accused stabbed Khachar in his ribs.

“When Khawad started to flee, one of the accused ran after him and stabbed him several times. Khawad and Khachar were rushed to a private hospital where Khawad succumbed to his injuries,” said V V Odedara, inspector with Gandhigram police station. The murder sent shock waves among members of Kathi Darbar community to which the victims belong. The community members refused to take Khawad’s body, demanding immediate arrest of the accused.

Meanwhile, the police have launched a manhunt to nab the accused. Khachar was booked in a murder case being heard at a court in Rajkot. He had allegedly killed Vipul Hirpara in Jasdan five years ago.