Surat De-addiction Centre Horror: Inmate Tied to Bed, Beaten to Death by Staff
A shocking case of brutality has emerged from Surat, where a 32-year-old inmate at a de-addiction centre was tied to a bed and beaten to death, allegedly by five people including counsellors and a driver, just one day after being admitted for rehabilitation.
Incident Details and Arrests
The horrific incident occurred at the Rivaa De-addiction and Rehab Centre in Dumas on March 1, but came to light on Wednesday after Dumas police arrested the five accused. Preliminary investigation reveals that the victim, Dhaval Rathod, was murdered after his persistent refusal to take medicine sent staffers into a furious rage.
Investigation officer NV Bharwad provided chilling details: "We found that four persons - Jignesh Desai (56), Rohan Sanghani (40), Shailesh Vaghela (44), and Dilip Joshi (38) - thrashed him with sticks, punches, and kicks, which led to his death. The altercation was sparked by Dhaval's refusal to take medicine. Two of them restrained his legs and hands while the others beat him. When he fell unconscious, he was tied to the bed."
Delayed Medical Response and Fatal Negligence
An ambulance was reportedly called after significant delay, but Dhaval was declared brought dead at New Civil Hospital (NCH) around 10.30pm. Administrator Nehal Solanki was arrested for negligence that proved fatal, as she allegedly failed to seek immediate medical help.
The complaint was lodged at Dumas police station by Dhaval's younger brother Himanshu, who works as a junior assistant in the state-run discom Dakshin Gujarat Vij Company Ltd (DGVCL) in Surat. His elder brother Shailesh is posted as a police inspector at the Junagadh Police Training Centre.
Sequence of Events Leading to Murder
According to the FIR, Dhaval had been addicted to sleeping pills and painkillers for seven years. Himanshu finalised this facility on February 22 after meeting Desai, a counsellor, and Dhaval was admitted on February 28.
The next day, Himanshu received a call from Solanki at 9.30pm saying that Dhaval had fallen unconscious and his heartbeat had dropped. Himanshu rushed to NCH where Desai informed him about Dhaval's death.
At the hospital, Dumas police found multiple injuries on his face and other body parts. A forensic postmortem confirmed death due to body trauma and haemorrhage.
Brutal Assault Details
The FIR provides harrowing details of the assault. Desai allegedly slapped Dhaval for refusing to take the medicine. Hearing the commotion, another counsellor, Sanghani, Vaghela, and driver Joshi rushed there. Joshi had brought a stick with him, which Desai snatched and started beating Dhaval by forcing him prone while the other three restrained him.
Even as Dhaval apologised and pleaded not to be beaten, Desai allegedly struck him repeatedly on the head, back, and legs with the stick, while the other three kicked and punched him mercilessly.
Centre Operations and Investigation Expansion
Dumas police revealed that the centre had been operated by a trust named ‘Parivartan Trust' for the past few years. They have asked the trustees to furnish necessary documents, including qualifications of the staff and the doctors prescribing medicines.
Concerns from Other Patients' Families
Following the incident, relatives of several patients admitted to the centre approached the police and expressed serious concerns over its functioning. "About 30 patients are currently admitted to the centre. We are planning to call the relatives today to record their statements, based on which a decision will be taken on whether the centre should be allowed to operate for now," said an official.
The case has raised alarming questions about the regulation and oversight of rehabilitation facilities in the region, with authorities now scrutinizing the operations of the centre and the qualifications of its staff.
