VADODARA: A dispute over contributions for Ganesh festival celebrations turned violent in Vadodara’s Wadi-Chokhandi area in the early hours of September 13, with a 44-year-old man alleging that a shopkeeper and his family members assaulted him and his friends. Counter-allegations have emerged that a group of youths had demanded a Rs 21,000 contribution from the shopkeeper and later vandalised his premises.According to an FIR registered on the complaint of Jatinbhai Shankarbhai Patni, a transporter residing in Chokhandi Vadi Wada Pol, the incident occurred between 2am and 2.15am after a Ganesh idol arrival procession organised by the Chokhandi Youth Federation.Patni told police that after the procession from the Pratapnagar Bridge area concluded, he and his friends Shailesh Patni and Minesh alias Motu Patni went to a nearby food stall in the Chokhandi area for snacks. A verbal dispute allegedly broke out over the collection of contributions for the Ganesh festival.As per the complaint, Mahesh Bijendrasingh Vaghela objected to the contribution being sought from his family for the festival. The argument allegedly escalated, following which Mahesh brought a wooden stick from the shop and assaulted Minesh, causing injuries to his left upper arm and below the elbow.Patni further alleged that Mahesh’s father, Bijendrasingh Vaghela, and mother joined the confrontation and that threats were issued during the altercation.Police have booked Mahesh Vaghela, Bijendrasingh Vaghela and Bijendrasingh Vaghela’s wife in connection with the complaint and have begun an investigation. The FIR was registered late on September 13.A counter-version has also surfaced in connection with the incident. According to allegations made from the other side, members of the group had approached the shop as part of the collection of funds for Ganesh festival celebrations and demanded a Rs 21,000 contribution.The shopkeeper allegedly objected to the amount and refused to pay, following which a confrontation took place.It has further been alleged that some youths entered the shop and vandalised property after the refusal. CCTV footage purportedly showing the altercation and damage to the premises has surfaced and is expected to form part of the material being examined in the matter.The competing allegations could not independently establish, based on the material available, whether the alleged assault or vandalism occurred precisely in the manner claimed by either side. Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the dispute, including the festival contribution issue, the alleged assault, threats and the counter-allegations of vandalism.
