A financial dispute related to land transactions between two real estate brokers in Gujarat's Surat district took a violent and unexpected turn in the early hours of Friday. The altercation resulted in one of the brokers accidentally shooting himself with his own licensed firearm.
Midnight Altercation Near Dantej Village
The incident occurred shortly after midnight on Thursday, around 12:15 am, near Dantej village under the jurisdiction of the Vijalpore police station in Navsari district. According to police sources, the injured individual has been identified as Prakash Kathiriya, a real estate broker.
Root of the Conflict: A Pending Payment
The trouble stemmed from previous land dealings between Kathiriya and another broker, Lala Bharwad. On Thursday, Kathiriya reportedly contacted Bharwad and demanded Rs 10 lakh, which he claimed was owed from their earlier transactions. Bharwad asked for a few days to arrange the funds, leading to a heated argument over the phone.
To settle the matter, the two brokers decided to meet in person later that night. However, what was intended to be a resolution meeting quickly descended into chaos.
A Fight, a Firearm, and a Self-Inflicted Injury
Police reports indicate that a physical fight broke out during the meeting. In the ensuing scuffle, Prakash Kathiriya allegedly pulled out his licensed revolver. The situation took a dramatic twist when the weapon reportedly misfired. One of the bullets struck Kathiriya in his thigh, causing a serious injury.
Friends who were present with Kathiriya immediately rushed him to a nearby hospital for urgent medical treatment. The Vijalpore police seized the firearm from the scene for investigation.
Police Await Statement, Probe Underway
Authorities are currently waiting for Kathiriya to regain full consciousness and stable health before they can record his formal statement. Vijalpore police inspector N I Rathod stated that they attempted to take his statement but his medical condition did not permit it at the time.
The police have initiated an investigation to piece together the exact sequence of events. Inspector Rathod confirmed that they are examining how the bullet struck Kathiriya's leg and what precisely transpired at the spot. A formal offence is yet to be registered pending further inquiry and the victim's statement.
This incident has highlighted the potential for routine business disputes, especially in the high-stakes real estate sector, to escalate into dangerous confrontations when weapons are involved.
