ISLAMABAD: A 40-year-old woman was beaten to death at a crowded bus station in India’s western Gujarat state, with CCTV footage showing people standing nearby as her live-in partner attacked her in broad daylight.
The killing of Kajalben Baraiya at the state transport bus stand in Bhavnagar has triggered outrage over the apparent failure of bystanders to intervene as the assault unfolded in a busy public place.
The attack took place on September 3 after a confrontation involving Baraiya, her live-in partner Faisal alias Khatki Rafiq Lakhani and an acquaintance, Ravi alias Boda Rajendra Gohel.
According to police, Lakhani suspected that Baraiya was involved in a relationship with Gohel after being released from jail in another case.
The confrontation escalated into violence, with Lakhani allegedly knocking Baraiya to the ground and repeatedly kicking and punching her.
Gohel, who tried to intervene, was also assaulted and injured, police said.
CCTV footage from the bus stand showed the attack taking place in an area where other people were present.
A woman was beaten to death at a crowded bus station in India, with CCTV showing bystanders watching as her partner attacked her.
The accused was arrested, but video of police beating him has raised questions about due process. pic.twitter.com/MMcfNfAmde
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) September 5, 2026
Reports said the people around the scene did not intervene as the woman was repeatedly assaulted.
Baraiya was taken to Sir T Hospital with serious injuries but died during treatment on September 4.
Police subsequently registered a murder case against Lakhani on a complaint filed by Baraiya’s mother and arrested him.
Deputy Superintendent of Police R R Singhal said the accused had previous criminal cases, including robbery and assault-related offences.
Seven-year relationship
Police said Baraiya and Lakhani had been living together for about seven years and staying on the footpath around the bus stand.
Investigators said the couple frequently quarrelled. According to police, Lakhani had been jailed in connection with another case and, after his release, allegedly learnt that Baraiya had developed a relationship with Gohel.
Police said this led to the confrontation at the bus stand. Gohel, however, reportedly gave police a somewhat different account of the dispute, saying it was linked to drinking alcohol.
The conflicting accounts remain part of the police investigation.
Police Conduct Sparks Controversy
The case took another controversial turn after videos emerged showing police officers allegedly beating Lakhani during a crime-scene reconstruction at the same bus stand.
🇮🇳 MAN WHO KILLED A WOMAN BEATEN BY POLICE AT CRIME SCENE
In India, police beat the man with batons after taking him back to the scene to reenact the killing pic.twitter.com/X2BPjFAdvr
— BRICS + World (@BricsPlusWorld) September 5, 2026
Footage published by Indian media showed the accused tied with ropes and being taken around the premises, where police allegedly struck him with batons and pushed him against walls and a police vehicle.
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A local police officer defended the action as an attempt to deter habitual offenders, describing the case as unusual. The accused was later sent to judicial custody.
The police action has prompted criticism from civil-rights groups. The People’s Union for Civil Liberties in Gujarat has issued a legal notice seeking action against officers involved.
The Indian rights group described the alleged treatment as unconstitutional violence and public humiliation.
The episode has therefore raised two separate questions: why a woman could be subjected to a fatal assault in a crowded public place without anyone stopping it; secondly, whether police themselves crossed legal boundaries in dealing with the suspect after his arrest.
The killing also highlights the dangers faced by women in abusive relationships and the consequences of public indifference to violence in India.
In this case, the CCTV footage has provided a stark record not only of the alleged assault but also of the presence of other people as it unfolded.
Police are continuing their investigation into the murder.
India’s deteriorating civil rights, especially those of minorities and downtrodden citizens, are already under minute scrutiny at the international level.
