Gujarat HC notice to Surat police in Dog Bite Case 

Surat : The Gujarat High Court has taken notice of alleged police misconduct in a contentious case stemming from a dog bite incident in Surat’s Althan area. Notices have been issued to the police inspector and assistant sub-inspector (ASI) of Althan police station following a petition filed by the parents of the child bitten by the dog.

The controversy dates back to October 2, when Dinesh Joshi, a bank employee, and his son Aahik were in the lift of their residential building. A neighbor’s pet dog allegedly attacked the child, biting his left leg. The boy sustained serious injuries, and Dinesh Joshi also suffered injuries while trying to protect his son.

The boy’s mother, Khushbu Sharma, filed a complaint against the dog’s owners, Ashish Dubey and Prashant Tripathi, on October 4, accusing them not only of negligence but also of misconduct following the incident.

Counter-Complaint Adds Complexity

In response, the dog owners lodged a counter-complaint, alleging that the Joshi family barged into their home and assaulted them. This has led to a prolonged legal tussle, with both families filing FIRs against each other.

On November 15, the Joshi family filed a petition in the Gujarat High Court, alleging harassment by the police. They claimed that despite the charges being bailable, they were produced in court unnecessarily, bypassing the standard procedure of granting bail at the police station.

High Court Intervenes

The High Court has issued notices to ASI Yogesh Balubhai and directed him to appear in court. The petition alleges that the police, under pressure from the accused dog owners, intimidated the Joshi family. According to Khushbu Sharma, the ASI visited their home while the children were alone and used threatening language to locate their parents. Later that evening, she was summoned to the police station and served a notice at 11 PM.

The petition also claims that the police inspector and ASI have been biased in their investigation, harassing the victim’s family instead of addressing their grievances.

Broader Implications

The incident has sparked debate over the responsibilities of pet owners in residential complexes and the role of law enforcement in mediating disputes. The High Court’s intervention underscores the need for impartial investigations in such cases.