AHMEDABAD: In a shocking incident, a 22-year-old woman was stabbed to death and her boyfriend injured, allegedly by drunk hooligans near Naranpura railway crossing on Wednesday night. The incident took place when the girl, who was with her boyfriend, rebuffed sexual advances made by the criminals. Police are waiting for a detailed statement from the injured youth and the statement of the girl’s parents to verify a few details of the case.

Naranpura police said Birbal Prasad, 26, a resident of Khopoli in Raigad (Maharashtra) was engaged eight months ago to Vandana Prasad, 22, a native of Veraval living in Ahmedabad. However, the girl’s father later decided against their marriage and called off the engagement. Birbal claims that he and Vandana were in touch even after that and that he used to visit Ahmedabad where the latter worked as a lab technician.

A Naranpura police official said that Birbal had come to the city on January 14 as it was Vandana’s day off.

“After checking into a hotel in Shahibaug, Birbal met her at the Sabarmati riverfront. They left the hotel in the evening as Vandana had to return to her paying guest accommodation near Ankur crossroads. They went to Usmanpura garden but, as it was closed, they decided to take a walk. It was at around 10:30 pm when they were near Kapilkunj Society and standing near the bushes, that four drunk men approached them,” said the police officer.

The hooligans sought sexual favours from the girl. When rebuffed, they advanced towards the girl and her boyfriend who retaliated. Then one of the criminals assaulted them with a knife. The girl was stabbed several times. On realizing what they had done, the criminals fled from the spot.

Birbal called the police who shifted the injured duo to Sola Civil Hospital. Vandana died during treatment late in the night while Birbal was shifted to Civil Hospital for treatment.

D R Dhamal, inspector of Naranpura police station, said they are trying to verify a few facts. “More about the duo’s relationship will be known after statements of Birbal and Vandana’s parents have been recorded. We are also waiting for the post-mortem report,” the police inspector said.

