Full Breakdown
Morbi Car Arson Sparked by Parking-Sensor Irritation
By Drooid · · How we work
In this breakdown
01
Core Event
On October 28, a man identified as Shikhar Jayeshbhai Gohel approached a Maruti Swift parked on Vaghpara Street in Morbi, Gujarat, and poured a flammable liquid over the vehicle before igniting it with a match. CCTV footage shows the blaze beginning at 4.44 p.m., with the suspect filming the fire, then leaving the scene in another car. The vehicle belonged to advocate Pushpa Bhatt (63) and her husband Kaushik Bhatt. Fire-fighters later contained the flames, which gutted the car except for the rear boot.
02
Background of the Neighbor Dispute
Police reports indicate that Gohel and the Bhatt family were neighbours with an ongoing parking disagreement. According to investigators, Gohel became repeatedly irritated by the car’s parking-sensor alerts, which beeped whenever a person or animal passed close to the vehicle. The sensor noise is cited as the motive for the arson.
Visual evidence
Images from the story
03
Official Police Response
Morbi City ‘A’ Division police registered a criminal case against Gohel and detained him for questioning. Police inspector Y B Jadeja noted that the suspect’s frustration with the sensor’s repeated beeps prompted the attack. The investigation continues, and the police have urged the public to submit any additional CCTV material.
04
Data & Financial Impact
- Time of incident: 4.44 p.m. on October 28 (timestamp from footage).
- Estimated loss: INR3.5 lakh (approximately US $4,200) to the Swift.
- Vehicle damage: Bonnet, cabin and engine compartment destroyed; only the rear boot remained largely intact.
05
Verbatim Quotes
- “According to preliminary information, the car was being parked near the accused’s residence, and he used to get irritated by the vehicle’s parking sensors, which would beep repeatedly,” — Jadeja — Y B Jadeja, Police Inspector, Morbi City ‘A’ Division.