Rajkot: A 23 year old man’s death, initially reported as a case of suicide, has taken a dramatic turn after Gujarat Police arrested his parents on charges of allegedly murdering him and attempting to pass off the crime as suicide. The arrests came after the victim’s wife raised doubts over the family’s account, prompting a detailed investigation.
The deceased, Ram Babubhai Bambhava, a resident of Gundala village in Gondal taluka of Rajkot district, died on June 30. According to police, his parents initially claimed that he had consumed acid and died by suicide. However, a post mortem examination reportedly revealed findings inconsistent with that claim, leading investigators to suspect foul play.
Police alleged that Ram’s long standing alcohol addiction had become a source of frequent disputes within the family. During one such argument, investigators claim his mother, Manishaben alias Motiben, forced him to consume acid, while his father, Babubhai alias Atulbhai Ghughabhai Bambhava, allegedly assaulted and strangled him to death.
Investigators further alleged that the couple then attempted to stage the death as suicide to avoid suspicion. Police claim the father even tried to use local political contacts to expedite the post mortem process so the case would not attract further scrutiny. However, forensic findings reportedly pointed to signs of both acid ingestion and strangulation, prompting police to register a murder case.
The investigation gathered pace after Ram’s wife, Banshiben Bambhava, who had married him about four months ago, approached police expressing suspicion over the circumstances of his death. Her complaint, along with the medical evidence, led investigators to question the family’s version of events and subsequently arrest the victim’s parents.
Police said Ram was the eldest of four siblings, while his father ran a tea stall in the village. The accused have been taken into custody, and further investigation is underway to determine whether anyone else was involved in the alleged cover up.
The case has drawn widespread attention across Gujarat, with investigators relying on forensic evidence and witness statements to piece together the sequence of events. Police are expected to file a detailed chargesheet after completing the investigation.
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