An Ahmedabad builder has been arrested by Chandkheda police after a redevelopment dispute involving residents was followed by allegations of caste-based abuse, threats and harassment, according to a report by Divya Bhaskar. Ranip police have also registered a separate case linked to alleged threats and misconduct involving residents of a housing society.
The cases relate to Maheshwari Apartment near Subhash Bridge, a housing society whose buildings are around 50 years old and had entered redevelopment. According to the report, Shivallay Infra Build Pvt Ltd, associated with builder Tejas Patel, signed a memorandum of understanding with the society in 2023.
The agreement was later cancelled after the work was not completed within the stipulated period, the report said. The society subsequently assigned the redevelopment work to another builder. Patel allegedly asked the new builder to withdraw from the project, after which residents reported repeated confrontations and threats at the society.
The report said women residents were allegedly subjected to caste-based remarks and verbal abuse, including when they were leaving the society for work. It also said Patel allegedly followed and harassed some residents and posted obscene comments and threats in the society’s WhatsApp group.
A complaint was earlier registered at Ranip police station in connection with the redevelopment dispute, and Patel was arrested in that case, according to the report. The report also said that allegations of continued harassment led Ranjanben Chauhan, a former corporator from the Dudheswar ward, to file another complaint at Ranip police station.
The Chandkheda case followed the circulation of an audio clip in which Patel was allegedly heard using caste-based words and making a caste-related remark about a minister. Chandkheda police registered an offence in connection with the clip and arrested Tejas Shankarbhai Patel, who the report identified as a resident of Avkar Villa Society on New CG Road.
The case brings together two issues that frequently shape redevelopment disputes: the cancellation or failure of an agreement with an original developer and the society’s decision to proceed with another builder. In this instance, the reported police action followed allegations that the dispute had extended beyond the redevelopment agreement into threats, harassment and abuse of residents.
The report does not establish the final findings of the police investigation or the outcome of the cases. The allegations remain subject to due legal process. The immediate next steps will depend on the police investigation and proceedings in the cases registered by Ranip and Chandkheda police.
