Gujarat : Ex-Karnataka Guv’s driver tries to uproot signboard

Rajkot | Gujarat — In a startling late-night incident that has triggered public outrage, the driver of a luxury Mercedes car bearing the words ‘EX MLA Gujarat’ was caught on camera allegedly attempting to uproot a municipal signboard installed by the Rajkot Municipal Corporation near the Athletics Ground. The incident, which occurred on Thursday night, has since gone viral on social media.

A video circulating online shows the Mercedes stopping near the roadside, after which the driver steps out, looks around, and attempts to forcibly pull out the corporation’s signboard from the ground, apparently to make space for parking. Despite repeated attempts, the board remains intact, following which the driver gets back into the vehicle and leaves the spot.

An investigation revealed that the Mercedes car bearing registration number GJ18 BJ 6763 is registered in the name of Vajubhai Vala, former Finance Minister of Gujarat and former Governor of Karnataka. The vehicle was later found parked at Vajubhai Vala’s residence on Amin Marg Road in Rajkot.

The driver seen in the video briefly emerged from the residence but refused to disclose his full identity. He identified himself only as Ranveerbhai. Justifying his actions, the driver claimed that the signboard was a “nuisance” and said the car had been damaged while parking.

“The board was not properly placed. It was causing trouble while parking and damaged the car. I only moved it, I did not remove it,” the driver said before leaving the spot.

However, eyewitness Paresh Joshi, who recorded and uploaded the video, disputed this claim. “I was walking near the Athletics Ground when I saw the Mercedes reversing and hitting the board. After that, the driver got down and tried to uproot the signboard,” Joshi said.

Joshi said he shared the video on social media because public property was being damaged. “It was a corporation signboard. If common citizens can’t touch government property, how can anyone else attempt to remove it?” he asked.