Rajkot Court Delivers Justice After Eight-Year Wait in Stray Dog Feeding Attack Case
A sessions court in Rajkot has finally delivered justice in a shocking case of violence against a woman who was simply feeding stray dogs. The court convicted two local men and sentenced them to twelve years of rigorous imprisonment for their brutal assault that occurred back in 2018.
Court Convicts Hardik Kheradiya and Tejas Rathod
Additional Sessions Judge V K Bhatt pronounced the verdict on January 8, finding Hardik Kheradiya (40) and Tejas Rathod (30) guilty under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code. The court convicted them under Sections 307 for attempt to murder, Section 326 for causing grievous hurt, Section 448 for house trespass, and Section 114 as abettors.
The judge also imposed a substantial fine of Rs 60,000 on each convict. A third accused person in the case received acquittal because the prosecution could not present sufficient evidence against him.
The Horrific Night of October 12, 2018
The entire incident unfolded on the evening of October 12, 2018, in the Laxmiwadi area of Rajkot. According to the prosecution's case, the complainant Sharda Shishangiya was feeding a stray dog outside her residence around 10 PM when her neighbor Hardik Kheradiya confronted her.
Hardik allegedly blamed Sharda for dog-bite incidents occurring in their neighborhood. He began verbally abusing her and then struck her head with a stick. When Sharda's nephew Dipak tried to intervene, Hardik threatened him and temporarily left the scene.
The situation escalated dramatically when Hardik returned with Tejas Rathod and another unidentified person. Tejas carried a knife while the third person held a stick. The trio forcibly entered Sharda's house and launched a violent attack on her.
Violent Assault Leaves Victims with Serious Injuries
During the assault, Dipak attempted to rescue his aunt from the attackers. Tejas Rathod responded by stabbing Dipak in his back, causing him to collapse immediately. Sharda suffered injuries to her left hand while trying to grab the knife from Tejas, and she was stabbed again during the struggle.
Neighbors who heard the commotion rushed to the scene and managed to rescue both victims. As the attackers fled, they allegedly threatened to kill Sharda and Dipak if they encountered them again.
Medical Treatment and Police Investigation
Given the seriousness of their injuries, authorities recorded Sharda's statement at Rajkot Civil Hospital. The Bhaktinagar police station registered a First Information Report on October 13, 2018. After conducting a thorough investigation, police filed a chargesheet against the accused with all relevant charges.
Additional Public Prosecutor P N Shah explained that the prosecution presented a strong case before the court. They examined sixteen witnesses and produced fifty-five documentary exhibits, including comprehensive medical and forensic evidence.
"Despite the accused denying all charges against them, the court convicted them based on the solid evidence presented on record," Shah stated clearly.
Justice Prevails After Lengthy Legal Process
This verdict brings closure to a case that has stretched over eight long years. The court's decision sends a strong message about violence against individuals performing acts of kindness toward animals. It also highlights the importance of neighborly disputes being resolved through peaceful means rather than violence.
The conviction demonstrates how India's judicial system can deliver justice even when cases take considerable time to move through the courts. The detailed evidence collection and witness testimonies ultimately proved crucial in securing convictions against the perpetrators.
