A violent clash erupted at the Orient Club in Ellisbridge, Ahmedabad, on Tuesday. The fight was triggered by a disagreement over the cancellation of a club membership. Bhupendra Shah and his family had their membership revoked, leading to an argument between club member Bhadresh Shah and committee members.
According to reports, Bhadresh Shah called in around 10 to 15 outsiders to the club. This escalated the situation, turning it into chaos. Witnesses reported that these outsiders were armed with swords and sticks. They caused significant damage to the club property. Plates were smashed, furniture was wrecked, and valuables were stolen from committee members.
One club committee member, Divyang Shah, was reportedly beaten severely. “They dragged him inside the club and continued to assault him. They asked him about other committee members,” said Ajit Patel, a senior member of the club.
Another member of the committee was also attacked. The club’s secretary was dragged from the first floor and beaten again. Many members sustained injuries and required hospital treatment.
Following the incident, two separate First Information Reports (FIRs) were filed at the Ellisbridge police station. Bhadresh Shah accused Divyang Shah, Rajendra Trivedi, and Raju Narang of assault and destruction of property. In retaliation, Divyang Shah lodged a complaint against Bhadresh Shah, his son Bhumi, his wife, daughter, and the outsiders involved in the attack.
The police are now investigating both sides of the conflict. They are reviewing CCTV footage to gather more details about the incident. Officers are looking into possible charges of unlawful assembly, criminal threats, and theft.
While the club officials have not issued a public statement, they confirmed that an internal investigation is ongoing. The clash has raised concerns about safety and security within private clubs in Ahmedabad, especially regarding disputes that can escalate into violence.
This incident reflects a growing issue where disagreements over membership and internal club politics can lead to serious consequences. Clubs are often seen as safe havens for their members, and incidents like this can undermine that trust. The need for effective conflict resolution mechanisms is crucial to prevent such occurrences in the future.
As the police continue their investigation, the community is left to ponder the implications of such violence in private settings. The hope is that all parties involved will be held accountable and that measures will be put in place to ensure the safety of club members going forward.