Ripper strikes terror in Vadodara

The police, caught unaware, swung into action only after media reports and after people caught a wrong person and beat him up. Four girls, who were stabbed by the person were brought to the Detection of Crime Branch (DCB) police to identify the person, Bhupendra Kahar. The girls, however, said that he was not involved.

Tension prevailed in the area after Kahar, running away from a jeep, was nabbed by residents of the area. The residents suspected him as the person involved in the series of stabbing on hips of girls. The person was subsequently carried to the DCB police station. As it turned out to be, Kahar was escaping from the van as he had entered into a quarrel with one of his relatives, Shankar Dodia. Dodia had informed the police regarding Kahar, who was absconding.

Meanwhile, panic gripped the area following the series of stabbing. Abubhai Noorbhai, a resident of the area, said the parents had themselves started dropping their daughters to school or tuition. “Besides, filing a police complaint would bring bad name to the girl in a closely-knit minority community of ours,” he said.

Residents of the area feel that though only four girls were taken to the DCB police station, there might be several others who were not willing to come forward. People have themselves started keeping a watch in the areas to locate the person, if he strikes again. “We have made arrangements and keep a strict vigil in the area. But the person seems to be well acquainted with the streets and lanes here and escapes after stabbing a girl,” said a youngster.

Commenting on the incidents, DCB police inspector P P Kanani said that this was the first episode of its kind in the city. “The people are not willing to come forward with information as they feel it will put the girls into trouble. However, we have recorded four confirmed cases which took place between June 7 and June 16,” Kanani said. He added that the police will investigate the case despite the fact that no complaint was officially launched. Additional Commissioner of Police Geeta Johari is coordinating the operation.

DCB and Panigate police stations have posted their officers at key points in plain clothes to locate the accused. Kanani said that, going by the description provided by the victims, the same person was involved in the series of incidents. “He has a modus operandi of coming on a bicycle and striking from back. The victim is caught unaware. Taking the advantage of the confusion, the accused escapes,” Kanani said.

Kanani added that the accused was well acquainted with the area and seemed like a person residing in the locality. “If he is a maniac, he will strike again. We have made enough arrangements to nab him,” he said.