The city of Vadodara witnessed a tragic incident in the early hours of Monday when Tapan Parmar, the 35-year-old son of a Dalit BJP leader and former Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) corporator Ramesh Parmar, was fatally stabbed on the premises of Sir Sayajirao General (SSG) Hospital.
The attack, which took place around 1 a.m., has led to the arrest of five individuals, including the prime accused, Babar Habib Pathan. The incident has not only shocked the community but has also raised serious concerns about public safety and law enforcement.
According to the Vadodara City Police, Tapan was at the hospital to assist his injured friends, who had been involved in a violent clash in Nagarwada earlier on Sunday. The altercation, reportedly fueled by a dispute over gambling money, resulted in injuries to at least three people.
The prime accused, Pathan, and his associates, including Wasim Mansuri, had allegedly initiated the attack during the Nagarwada clash.
One of the injured, Dharmesh Patel, later filed an FIR at the Karelibaug police station, detailing how Pathan and his aides stabbed another individual, Vikram Parmar, multiple times in the chest, stomach, and back.
Patel’s complaint further described the chaos during the attack, where stones were pelted at him as he tried to intervene. He sustained injuries to his head and was rushed to the hospital alongside Vikram.
It was at this hospital that Tapan, accompanied by his father Ramesh Parmar, arrived to assist with formalities related to the treatment of the injured.
While at the hospital, Pathan—who was also present for a medical check-up after approaching the Karelibaug police station to file a counter-complaint—encountered Tapan.
Vadodara Joint Commissioner of Police Manoj Ninama revealed that Pathan’s wife, Shabnam, allegedly instigated him, prompting him to leave the emergency ward and attack Tapan near the hospital canteen.
The brutal assault with a knife proved fatal for Tapan, who succumbed to his injuries before any medical assistance could save him.
The incident has prompted police action on multiple fronts. Two FIRs have been lodged—one at Karelibaug police station for the Nagarwada clash and another at Raopura police station for Tapan’s murder.
The accused, including Pathan, his wife Shabnam, and others, face charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for offences such as murder, attempt to murder, rioting, unlawful assembly, and criminal conspiracy.
They have also been booked under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, reflecting the caste-based undertones of the violence.
The police have taken swift action by arresting five individuals connected to the case, while Mansuri, who is currently hospitalised, remains under police security and will be arrested upon discharge.
However, questions have arisen regarding the role of law enforcement in preventing the attack. Ninama has ordered an inquiry into how Pathan, despite being escorted by police to the hospital, managed to procure the knife used in the attack.
The Assistant Commissioner of Police has been tasked with submitting a detailed report to identify any potential negligence by the officers involved.
Ramesh Parmar, devastated by the loss of his son, recounted the tragic sequence of events. He had just left the hospital to assure the families of the injured that their loved ones were receiving proper care when he received a call informing him about the attack on Tapan.
By the time he rushed back to the hospital, it was too late. The news of Tapan’s death sent shockwaves through the community, prompting BJP leaders and members of the Vadodara Municipal Corporation to gather at the hospital in solidarity with the grieving family.
The conflict that led to this tragic loss reportedly stemmed from a dispute over gambling debts. According to the police, the altercation escalated when Pathan and his group sought to retaliate for injuries sustained by Mansuri during the Nagarwada clash.
This vendetta ultimately culminated in Tapan’s untimely death, leaving his family and the community grappling with grief and anger.
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