In a shocking incident that has left Sardhar village in Rajkot district shaken, 53-year-old former deputy sarpanch and social activist Hareshbhai Mohanbhai Savaliya was found murdered at his farm early Thursday morning. The incident occurred at "Amrud Garden," a 10-acre guava orchard located on the outskirts of Sardhar, approximately 32 kilometers from Rajkot along the Bhavnagar Road. Tension gripped the village after news of the murder spread, prompting a wave of anger among locals.
As per media report, preliminary investigations point towards a migrant worker named Manoj, a resident of Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, who was recently hired by the deceased just 10 days ago for farm work. He is currently absconding and his mobile phone has been found switched off, further intensifying suspicions of his involvement.
The complaint was filed by Nikunj Savaliya, the victim’s son, at the Aji Dam police station. According to the FIR, Hareshbhai had gone to the farm for an overnight stay around 9:30 PM on Wednesday. The following morning, around 7:30 AM, Nikunj received a phone call from his uncle Chandubhai, informing him of something unusual. Upon arriving at the scene, Nikunj discovered his father lying face-down on the bed with blood pooled around him. There was a deep wound on his chest and a bloodstained iron rod (trikutra) was found nearby, suggesting a brutal assault.
Hareshbhai had a reputation as an active community member and previously held the position of deputy sarpanch in the village. His farm had long been under the supervision of another Madhya Pradesh native, Dinesh Bathwar, who was recently away transporting mangoes in a Tata vehicle. Manoj had been temporarily hired in his absence.
The police have registered a murder case under section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Senior officers and crime branch teams have reached the site and launched an intensive investigation. Authorities have formed multiple teams to trace the suspect, expressing confidence that an arrest will be made soon.
The gruesome killing of a respected social figure has sent shockwaves through the peaceful farming village, raising concerns over the safety of locals and highlighting the need for more thorough background checks during hiring.
