Surat: A man's hand was severed at the wrist by a sword in a violent confrontation over an alleged case of molestation in the Amroli area of the city. At least five others were injured during the clash, which occurred at about 2.30am on Monday.
Amroli police said four accused persons have been arrested while two, including the prime accused, Yunus Shaikh, are at large.
Amroli inspector J B Vanar told TOI: "The accused chopped off the hand of Vishal Devmurari, whose female relative stays in Madhuvan Society. Irfan Shaikh had allegedly sexually harassed Devmurari's relative, who was his neighbour. Devmurari had gone to the police station with his friends Tanveer, Mayur Solanki and brother Hardik after the victim called him. After police intervention, the groups reached a compromise and all four left. At around 1.30am, Devmurari learned that Irfan Shaikh had broken a window of the victim's house and the four came back to the society. This time, the groups clashed, during which Yunus Shaikh chopped off Devmurari's hand with a sword."
According to a complaint filed by Solanki, Yunus and his brothers Sikandar, Imran, Irfan, Islam and Usman were armed with swords and knives and attacked them. Devmurari's brother Hardik also suffered serious injuries. Both brothers were operated on at a private hospital in Surat.
"We have arrested Imran, Irfan, Islam and Usman, while Yunus and Sikandar are absconding. They are history-sheeters and have four or five cases against them, including murder and attempted murder. A couple of them have been sent to jail under PASA. We have invoked organized crime and atrocities charges as the complainant is from a scheduled caste," Vanar said.
Amroli police booked all the accused for attempted murder, sexual harassment, voluntarily causing hurt and mischief with a preparation of causing death under BNS. The GP Act has also been invoked as weapons were used.
The accused, Islam Shaikh, filed a counter-complaint against Devmurari, his friends and his brother, for attacking them.