Rajkot: A dispute sparked by a discarded firecracker on Diwali night escalated into a fatal knife assault in the city’s Marutinandan Nagar area on Mavdi Main Road, leaving a 42-year-old school van driver dead and his 21-year-old son critically wounded.The deceased has been identified as Ajit Sindhav, while his son, Kunal, remains hospitalised with multiple stab injuries. Following the incident, Malaviyanagar police detained two brothers residing in the same locality, identified as Indrajitsinh Jadeja and Yashrajsinh Jadeja.According to the complaint lodged by Kunal, the altercation began between 10:30pm and 11:00pm on Sunday when he was returning home on his motorcycle from Hudko Chowkdi. Local residents, including the Jadeja brothers, were setting off firecrackers at Bapa Sitaram Chowk near his house. Tensions flared when Indrajitsinh allegedly hurled a lit cracker toward Kunal. When Kunal objected, the brothers reportedly verbally abused him and initiated a physical scuffle.Family members—including Kunal’s parents, uncle Vinod, and aunt Dharmishtha—rushed out alongside neighbours to defuse the situation, after which both parties dispersed.The truce proved short-lived. Around 2:30 am, the two brothers allegedly arrived outside the Sindhav residence, hurling stones at the entrance, shouting abuses, and issuing death threats to the father and son. Hearing the commotion, Ajit stepped outside carrying a wooden stick and walked toward Bapa Sitaram Chowk, with Kunal following closely behind.Police said Yashrajsinh snatched the stick and struck Ajit on the head. When Kunal stepped in to shield his father, Indrajitsinh allegedly pulled a knife from his waistband and stabbed Kunal seven to eight times in the abdomen and back. The assailants then turned on Ajit, inflicting identical stab wounds to his head, back, and abdomen before he collapsed.Bystanders and relatives intervened to halt the assault and rushed both victims to Madhuram Hospital, where Ajit succumbed to his injuries during treatment. Kunal continues to receive medical care for severe trauma.Investigating Officer J.M. Kaila stated that the father and son worked together as drivers transporting local children to school in their van.Malaviyanagar police took both suspects into custody shortly after the incident.
