SURAT: A real estate developer in Surat, Gujarat, was arrested after allegedly halting traffic on a busy road to set off firecrackers for his son’s birthday. The incident took place on 21 December near Langar Circle in the Dumas area. A video of the 58-year-old builder, Deepak Ijardar, holding firecrackers while stopping vehicles went viral on social media. Police said Ijardar, a resident of Sultanabad, lit the firecrackers in front of the local post office to celebrate his son Dhyey’s birthday, causing disruption to commuters. Following the viral video, Dumas police took action and arrested him. Ijardar later secured bail.Assistant commissioner of Police Deep Vakil said Ijardar, a resident of Bhakti Bungalow beside the post office in Sultanabad village, was arrested after he stopped vehicles and lit firecrackers on a public road at around 8pm. “Bursting firecrackers on a public road is a clear violation of the Commissioner of Police’s notification, so he was booked immediately after the video went viral. During legal proceedings, he apologised and promised not to repeat the act,” Vakil added.
Witnesses said the celebration caused heavy traffic congestion, and Ijardar allegedly threatened a motorist with flames from the firecrackers in his hand. This is not the first controversy involving Ijardar. In July, he reportedly threatened a woman, Darshana Patel, over fixing posters in Sultanabad, abusing her in front of her son with the help of his bodyguards. The Dumas police registered a case based on Patel’s complaint. A case has also been registered against Ijardar under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which deals with disobedience to orders issued by public officials. Authorities said the incident violated the Police Commissioner’s notification and caused inconvenience to the public.
