A dispute over entry at the Mandli Garba event in Nasmed near Gandhinagar allegedly escalated into a midnight assault involving bouncers carrying swords, sticks and chains, leaving six revellers injured, two of whom were hospitalised with head wounds.
The clash took place around 1am on Monday near the Rancharda area, according to a complaint filed by Maulik Thakor, 28, a cafe operator from the area. Santej police have registered a case against unidentified bouncers and are searching for those involved. A video of the incident also circulated online after the confrontation.
According to Thakor’s complaint, he had gone to the event with his younger brother Tushar and friends, including Hiren Patel. Thakor was scanning the group’s entry passes at the gate when a bouncer asked Patel to enter the venue. Patel allegedly said he would wait until Thakor had finished scanning the passes, after which an argument broke out between the two.
The complaint states that when Thakor and Tushar intervened to calm the situation, another bouncer allegedly pulled out a sword and swung it at Thakor. He ducked, but the hilt of the weapon struck him on the head, causing a bleeding injury. The situation then allegedly escalated as around 10 more bouncers arrived carrying swords, sticks and chains.
Thakor told police that Lalji Thakor was struck on the right shoulder with the hilt of a sheathed sword, while Anil Thakor suffered an injury to his right hand. Vivek Thakor was allegedly hit on the head with the hilt of a sword. Mehul Thakor suffered an injury to his left hand, and Ramesh Thakor was allegedly hit on his left arm with an iron chain.
All six injured people were taken to a private hospital in Shilaj. Anil, Mehul, Lalji and Ramesh were treated and discharged, while Thakor and Vivek were admitted because of their head injuries. Thakor also told police that his Apple iPhone 13 went missing during the scuffle. He later contacted his father, who was travelling to the venue.
The case places scrutiny on security arrangements at crowded public entertainment events, where entry disputes can quickly spill beyond venue gates into surrounding roads and public areas. The account currently available is based on the complainant’s statement and the police case; the identities and responses of the alleged attackers were not available in the supplied report. Santej police are continuing their search for the unidentified bouncers.
