Gujarat Court Convicts Five in 2016 Dalit Assault Case, Acquits 35 Others

In a significant ruling, a Gujarat sessions court has convicted five men in connection with a 2016 assault on seven Dalits while acquitting 35 others. The case, which involved severe allegations including attempted murder and caste-based violence, has drawn attention to the ongoing issues of discrimination and violence against marginalized communities in India. The defense has indicated that the prosecution failed to establish clear evidence against the acquitted individuals. Vashram Sarvaiya, a member of the assaulted family, has expressed disappointment with the verdict and plans to challenge it in the Gujarat High Court. This case highlights the complexities of legal proceedings in caste-related violence and the ongoing struggle for justice among Dalit communities.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 16, 2026, 19:56 IST

Court Ruling in Dalit Assault Case

A sessions court in the Gir Somnath district of Gujarat has found five individuals guilty and acquitted 35 others in a case stemming from a 2016 incident where seven Dalits were attacked in Una, according to reports.

Judge Jignesh Pandya presided over the case in Veraval, convicting Ramesh Jadav, Rakesh Joshi, Nagjibhai Vaniya, Pramodgiri Gausvami, and Balvantgiri Gausvami. Sentencing is scheduled for Tuesday.

On July 11, 2016, over 40 men from the upper caste Darbar community assaulted members of the Sarvaiya family, who were engaged in skinning a deceased cow, a traditional practice for leather tanners. The attackers accused them of cow slaughter.

During the brutal assault, four brothers from the Sarvaiya family were stripped, tied to a vehicle, and beaten with sticks and iron rods, with some assailants recording the incident.

The Criminal Investigation Department had charged 41 individuals in connection with the case, which included serious allegations such as attempted murder, criminal conspiracy, and various forms of assault.

Charges were also brought under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Prevention of Atrocities Act and the Information Technology Act.

Among those charged were four police officers from the Una police station, with one, former inspector Nirmalsinh Zala, passing away during the trial. The remaining officers were acquitted.

Defense attorney VC Mavadhiya stated that the convicted men faced charges under several sections of the Indian Penal Code, including causing hurt and criminal intimidation, as well as Section 3(1)(10) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Prevention of Atrocities Act, which addresses caste-based insults and intimidation.

Mavadhiya noted that the prosecution struggled to prove the involvement of the other accused, leading to their acquittal.

Vashram Sarvaiya expressed disappointment with the verdict, indicating plans to appeal the decision in the Gujarat High Court.