Surat: The family of Amish Patel, joined by women, youth and members of the Koli community, held a rally in Surat on Tuesday, demanding a strict and impartial investigation into his death and seeking a murder case against those allegedly involved.The rally began at Vanita Vishram Ground in Athwalines and proceeded to the offices of the inspector general of police and superintendent of police. A delegation submitted a memorandum seeking a high-level probe into the incident, stringent punishment for those found guilty and ensuring that no one responsible escapes legal action.Community representatives said the investigation should determine the circumstances that led to Patel’s death, identify the role of each person involved and invoke the appropriate legal provisions. They also urged authorities to examine available evidence and emerging findings with transparency.Police recently arrested seven persons in the case and said an offence of culpable homicide not amounting to murder had been registered. The family argued that the gravity of the case and the available evidence warranted murder charges.Participants in the rally alleged that the case was not initially handled with the gravity it deserved. The memorandum also sought the immediate suspension of police officials associated with the investigation.Organisers said the rally remained peaceful and reiterated that their demand was a fair investigation and accountability.The family submitted an audio call recording in which Patel is heard speaking about the attack. The call ends abruptly.“My brother was attacked by people at Dihen village. In CCTV footage we found that people were chasing him after which his car crashed,” Patel’s brother, Nalin, told TOI.Patel died after the accident near Dihen village on Sep 12. The following day, police had registered an unnatural death and invoked provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act.According to police, Patel was returning to Saroli from Pinjarat village around 11pm when he passed through a road near Dihen, where a Ganpati procession was under way. Investigators said an argument broke out between Patel and people participating in the procession, after which a group of youths allegedly attacked him.
