Surat Teen Killed by Drunkard Sparks Public Outrage on liquor dens

Surat, Gujarat : A horrifying incident in Surat’s Kapodara area has triggered massive outrage after a 17-year-old diamond worker, Paresh Vaghela, was brutally stabbed to death by a drunkard demanding money for liquor. The murder has sparked a storm of protests, with furious residents surrounding the Kapodara police station and accusing the police of protecting local bootleggers.

The shocking incident occurred on Monday evening, when Paresh, who worked in a diamond factory, was returning home. According to sources, a drunk man approached him near Krishnanagar and asked for money to buy liquor. When Paresh refused, the man pulled out a knife and stabbed him in the stomach before fleeing.

Originally from Malsika village in Dhari taluka of Amreli, Paresh was the sole son of Arvind Vaghela, a fruit vendor living with his wife and four daughters in Krishnanagar. “My son was hardworking. He supported the family financially. We came to Surat for a better life, and now I have lost him because the police allow these liquor dens to thrive,” said a grief-stricken Arvindbhai.

By Tuesday morning, the incident had ignited public fury. Hundreds of residents, especially women, marched to the Kapodara police station, demanding the immediate closure of all liquor dens in the area. Protesters accused the police of colluding with bootleggers and turning a blind eye to illegal liquor operations in exchange for bribes.

“There are liquor dens in every alley here. We’ve made repeated complaints, but the police do nothing. Now a boy has been murdered. Who’s responsible?” shouted Meena Patel, a local resident who joined the protest.

The situation became so volatile by late Monday evening that police had to lock the gates of the station and call for reinforcements from five different police stations. Despite attempts to calm the crowd, tensions flared again by Tuesday afternoon with clashes reported between women protestors and the police personnel on duty.

DCP Alok Kumar addressed the media, confirming that the accused was arrested within 15 minutes. “The man stabbed the boy after he refused to give him money for liquor. We also arrested the person who supplied the knife. This is now a double-accused case.”

He assured the public of swift justice: “We’ve formed a Special Investigation Team from the Crime Branch. Panchnamas, forensic reports, and all e-evidence are being collected. A chargesheet will be filed within 15 days. We will make this case foolproof in court.”

Responding to the public outcry over illegal liquor sales, DCP Kumar added, “We have launched targeted patrolling and crackdown operations against all known liquor spots in Kapodara and nearby areas. Strict action will follow.”

Despite police assurances, locals remain unconvinced. “We want justice. The accused should be hanged. But that’s not enough—shut every liquor den in our locality,” said Kamlesh Vaghela, another resident.