Surat Wedding Celebration Turns Violent as Notorious Criminal Opens Fire
In a shocking incident that disrupted wedding festivities, a 29-year-old man was shot in the leg by a history-sheeter with an extensive criminal record during a pre-wedding ceremony in Surat's Limbayat area on Thursday night. The violent episode occurred at a haldi function, which is traditionally a joyful pre-wedding ritual, highlighting how criminal elements can infiltrate even the most sacred social gatherings.
Sequence of Events at the Haldi Ceremony
The incident unfolded at the residence of Yogesh Marwadi in Vishranti Park, where he was hosting a haldi ceremony for his son ahead of the wedding scheduled for Friday. According to police reports, the complainant, Ajay Girase, had just dropped his wife and newborn baby at home after her hospital discharge earlier that evening. Girase then proceeded to attend the function with his friend Kalpesh Katariya, having been invited by Marwadi.
Simultaneously, the accused individuals—Jayesh Vagh, also known as Bavku Patil, and Suraj Pandey, alias Bhavander—were also present at the ceremony as guests. Police investigation reveals that when Girase arrived and attempted to approach the host Marwadi, Vagh immediately confronted him and objected to his presence at the gathering. The confrontation quickly escalated when Vagh allegedly produced a firearm and shot Girase directly in the leg.
Following the shooting, Vagh threatened Katariya with the weapon before fleeing the scene along with his accomplice Pandey. The victim was promptly rushed to a private hospital where medical professionals performed emergency surgery to extract the bullet from his leg. Police teams responded swiftly, visiting both the crime scene and the hospital to gather evidence and statements.
Criminal Backgrounds and Possible Motive
Police authorities have disclosed that the primary accused, Jayesh Vagh, is a notorious history-sheeter with an alarming record of 34 serious criminal cases registered against him. His criminal portfolio includes charges of murder, extortion, theft, and illegal firing incidents. Investigators revealed that Vagh's brother, Pavan, was murdered several years ago, and Vagh allegedly suspected Girase of having connections with the gang responsible for his brother's killing.
This suspicion appears to have been the driving force behind the shooting incident during the wedding function. Interestingly, police records indicate that the victim, Ajay Girase, also has a criminal history with six previous cases registered against him, including offences under the Prohibition Act, gambling activities, and criminal intimidation charges.
Police Response and Current Status
After undergoing surgery, Girase formally lodged a complaint with the Limbayat police station. Law enforcement acted promptly, arresting accomplice Suraj Pandey within hours of the incident. However, the main accused, Jayesh Vagh, continues to evade capture despite intensive police efforts to locate him.
The Limbayat police are conducting a thorough investigation into the matter, examining all angles including the longstanding rivalry between the individuals involved. This incident has raised concerns about public safety during social functions and the persistent threat posed by individuals with extensive criminal records operating within the community.
