AHMEDABAD: An inter-caste marriage in Dehgam turned violent after a woman was allegedly kidnapped by her maternal relatives in broad daylight, sparking outrage after a video of the incident went viral. Police registered an FIR on Sunday, but the woman remains missing.
Ravi Patel, 23, a farmer from Dehgam, alleged in his complaint that his wife, Ayushi Rabari, was forcibly taken away after she refused to return with her relatives. The viral footage shows Ayushi pleading with her family not to take her, while her in-laws desperately try to stop the attackers.
According to the FIR, Ravi and Ayushi married through court registration after a year-and-a-half-long relationship, despite belonging to different castes. After travelling together for four months, the couple had been living with Ravi’s family in Dehgam’s Shahi Kutir Society for the past two months.
On the day of the incident, around 2:30 pm, Ayushi’s relatives arrived in multiple vehicles — a white SUV, a black SUV, and a scooter — armed with sticks. Identified among them were Kanaji Rabari of Kali village, Keval Rabari of Rabari ni Muvadi, and Daksh and Govind Rabari of Rabari Vas, along with three unidentified men.
“They shouted outside demanding Ayushi be handed over,” Ravi told police. Despite her protests, the group broke into the house, assaulted Ravi’s family with sticks, and dragged Ayushi out before forcing her into the SUV and driving off.
Ravi immediately dialed 112 and later lodged a complaint at Dehgam police station. Police have booked the accused under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for kidnapping, criminal trespass, causing hurt, and unlawful assembly. A manhunt has been launched, though Ayushi has yet to be traced.
