Ratlam: Shopkeeper, two unidentified men booked under SC/ST Act after firecracker row turns violent

A quarrel over bursting firecrackers in Sanawada village of Ratlam district escalated into a physical assault. The complainants allege that Shahid, who runs a grocery shop in the village, beat up three youths and a woman along with two associates. Abuse and death threats are also alleged. Station Road police have registered a case and begun an investigation.

The incident took place on Monday night and falls under the Salakhedi outpost of the Station Road police station area. In his complaint to police, Arjun Rana, son of Mangilal Rana, a resident of Sanawada, said he works as a labourer. According to him, at around 9.30 pm he was bursting firecrackers on the public road in front of Shahid's grocery shop with his friends Ashok Bhuria and Rohit Singad.

According to the complaint, Shahid, who runs the shop, stopped them from bursting firecrackers. He is alleged to have said, using abusive language, that they should not burst firecrackers in front of the shop and should go home to do so. When the youths objected to the abuse, Shahid came back with two more associates and began beating the three youths.

Arjun suffered an injury to his back. Ashok was injured on the palm of his right hand, the elbow and the waist.

On hearing of the fight, Rohit and Sunitabai from the family came to intervene. The accused are alleged to have abused them as well. Rohit and Sunitabai then returned to their home. According to the complaint, Shahid and his two associates followed them into Rohit's house and assaulted them there too. Rohit suffered injuries to the sole of his left foot, the knee and the palms of both hands. The accused also slapped Sunitabai on the cheek. Sunil arrived at the spot at that time and intervened.

The complaint also says that while leaving, Shahid and his associates threatened to kill them if they burst firecrackers in front of the shop again.

After the incident, Arjun went to the police station with Ashok, Rohit, Sunitabai and Sunil and filed a complaint. Station Road police have registered a case against shopkeeper Shahid and his two unidentified associates under Sections 332(c), 296(a), 115(2), 351(3) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with the SC/ST Act. Police are investigating.