Sand Mafia Confronts Officials in Tense Ahmedabad Night Raid
A routine late-night inspection against illegal sand transportation turned dangerous in Ahmedabad on Saturday. Government officials faced obstruction, verbal abuse, and direct death threats from suspected sand mafia members before the suspects fled the scene.
The Incident Unfolds Near Makarba
The Sarkhej police reported the incident occurred around 11 PM near One Mall Circle on Makarba Road. A team from the geology and mining department was conducting checks for illegal mining activities. They spotted two yellow dumpers approaching from the Juhapura side.
The officials immediately signaled the vehicles to stop. Upon inspection, each dumper was found carrying approximately 30 metric tonnes of sand. One vehicle had a visible registration number, while the other displayed no number plate at all.
Confrontation Escalates Quickly
The drivers could not produce any royalty passes or required permits for transporting the sand. They refused to disclose their identities, claiming the vehicles belonged to a man named Suresh Bharwad from Piplaj village.
Kiran Parmar, a 31-year-old contractual employee with the department who has worked there since September 2025, then boarded one dumper. He instructed the driver to proceed directly to Sarkhej police station for further action.
Instead of following directions, the driver headed toward the Makarba headquarters area. Near the Seventh Heaven building, a man armed with a stick stopped both vehicles. He ordered the drivers to unload all the sand directly onto the road, creating a significant obstruction.
Threats and Intimidation Follow
The armed man identified himself as Suresh Bharwad. According to the FIR filed by Parmar on Sunday, Bharwad then forcibly demanded Parmar get down from the vehicle. He proceeded to abuse the officials publicly using foul language.
The situation turned more threatening when Bharwad explicitly stated he would kill the officials. After delivering these death threats, he fled the location along with the two drivers and both dumpers.
The inspection team included mines supervisor Akshatkumar Ladani, driver Mayur Vanda, and security guard Ashirvad Sadata alongside Parmar. All were present during this frightening confrontation.
Official Complaint Registered
Kiran Parmar filed a formal complaint with Sarkhej police on Sunday detailing the entire incident. The complaint provides specific vehicle information and names the primary accused as Suresh Bharwad.
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges authorities face when combating illegal sand mining operations. The brazen nature of the threats against government officials performing their duties raises serious concerns about law enforcement in such cases.
Local police have begun investigating the matter based on the complaint. They are examining all available evidence to identify and apprehend those responsible for the obstruction and threats.
