Ten people were arrested after an Instagram dispute allegedly led to stone-pelting at a Songadh house. Police invoked attempt to murder and rioting provisions while stepping up security across the town.
Police parade the nine adult accused through Gujarat’s Songadh town under tight security after a communal clash triggered by an Instagram comment led to stone-pelting at a house.
Songadh,Oct 22, 2026 01:24 IST
Ten people, including a minor, have been arrested after a social media dispute between youths from two communities allegedly escalated into stone-pelting at a Hindu man’s house in Songadh town of Gujarat’s Tapi district. Police escorted the nine adults accused through the town under tight security and took them to the spot where the incident occurred.
The incident reportedly followed an objectionable comment posted on Instagram by the complainant’s son on a reel. Angered by the comment, a group of around 20 to 25 people allegedly gathered outside his house and pelted it with stones late Monday night, triggering tension in the area.
Police registered a case and launched an investigation into the incident. The nine adult accused were reportedly tied with ropes and taken on foot through different routes to the scene, with officers and personnel from Songadh police station accompanying them.
ATTEMPT TO MURDER CHARGE AMONG OFFENCES
Tapi Deputy Superintendent of Police Ishwar Parmar said a case had been registered in connection with the incident involving the house of complainant Bakulbhai Dayarambhai Chaudhary.
According to Parmar, the incident took place in Songadh on October 20, 2024, at around 5 pm. The complainant’s son had posted a comment on an Instagram reel, following which a group of 20 to 25 people allegedly attacked the house with stones.
Police have invoked various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Section 109(1), which deals with attempt to murder, Section 125 and provisions relating to rioting, among other charges.
NINE ADULT ACCUSED IDENTIFIED
Police have identified 10 accused in the case, including one minor. The nine adults have been identified as Wasim Nasir Sheikh, Farhan Naim Mansuri, Shakir Abbas Pathan, Javed Khan Yusuf Khan Pathan, Musharraf Mukhtar Bagwan, Hamza Alla Rakha Sheikh, Farhan alias Adil Imtiyaz Mansuri, Tausif Yusuf Khatik and Altaf Qayum Mansuri. All nine are residents of Songadh.
The police action comes amid efforts to maintain law and order following the stone-pelting incident. Officials said adequate police personnel had been deployed across the town and the situation was currently normal.
Parmar said the investigation was continuing and appealed to residents not to pay attention to rumours circulating on social media.
- Ends
With inputs from Sanjay Singh J Rathod