Gujarat : Four Arrested in Shahibaug Gang-Rape of 15-Year-Old

Ahmedabad | Gujarat —- A chilling veil of silence was finally broken in Ahmedabad’s Shahibaug area following the arrest of four local youths for the brutal gang-rape of a 15-year-old girl four months ago. The horrifying incident, which came to light only after the girl’s concerned family pressed her for answers about her sudden withdrawal and irregular school attendance, has sent shockwaves through the community, particularly given the dark past of one of the prime accused.

The victim, studies at a local school and lives in the same society as the main accused, Akshay alias Sendho Mehariya. According to police reports, four months ago, Akshay called the minor girl to his home. Upon arriving, she was confronted not just by him but by three of his friends—Partha alias Bhotio Parmar, Avinash alias Pappu Parmar, and Dasarath Thakor—who were already present. The four young men then allegedly forcibly raped the minor and coerced her into silence.

The trauma of the assault, however, manifested in the girl’s behaviour. Her regular school attendance plummeted, and her family noticed a significant change, leading them to question her. It was then that the 15-year-old revealed the harrowing details of the gang-rape.

“The family’s distress was palpable when they came forward,” a police official, speaking on condition of anonymity, commented. “It took immense courage for the girl to finally speak out after being threatened into silence for so long. Her family showed commendable strength in supporting her and filing the complaint.”

Following the complaint lodged at Shahibaug police station, a case was immediately registered under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for rape and the stringent provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The SC/ST cell has taken over the investigation due to the nature of the case and the legal provisions invoked.

Alarmingly, one of the arrested accused, Akshay alias Sendho Mehariya, has a history of crime. Police sources confirmed that Akshay was previously involved in a bike theft case with the notorious ‘psycho killer,’ Vipul. Both had stolen a bike together, leading to Akshay’s arrest, though he was recently released on bail—only to allegedly commit this heinous crime.

“The connection of the main accused to a known violent criminal, even in a minor theft case, paints a disturbing picture of the environment this young victim was exposed to,” said a representative from a local NGO working for women’s safety. “This case highlights the urgent need for local surveillance and community intervention when signs of distress in minors are observed.”

All four accused—Akshay alias Sendho Mehariya, Partha alias Bhotio Parmar, Avinash alias Pappu Parmar, and Dasarath Thakor—have been arrested. The SC/ST cell is now working to expedite the investigation to ensure a swift and comprehensive judicial process. The community awaits justice for the minor victim, demanding the harshest penalty for the perpetrators of this appalling act.