AHMEDABAD: A dispute over payment of Rs 1.1 crore to secure political and govt appointments allegedly turned violent at a gym in Gandhinagar’s Kudasan area on Monday night, leaving one man critically injured and four others hurt.Infocity police on Tuesday registered a case of attempt to murder, rioting and unlawful assembly against businessman Mahendrasinh Rathod, his son Abhimanyusinh Rathod and dozen others in connection with the attack. They arrested 11 people in connection with the violence.According to the FIR filed by Utsav Patel, 28, a businessman from New Naroda, the dispute arose over a series of payments allegedly made between April 2025 and Jan. Patel alleged that his family initially paid Rs 15 lakh to help secure a dealership from a govt-owned company.The complaint further alleged that Mahendrasinh later claimed to have influential contacts in the Rajasthan govt and offered to arrange the appointment of the complainant’s father’s friend, who runs an education trust in Rajasthan, as chairperson of the Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC).Police said the accused demanded an advance of Rs 50 lakh, followed by additional payments, taking the total amount allegedly paid to Rs 1.1 crore. However, when the promised appointments and dealership did not materialise, the complainant’s family repeatedly sought either completion of the work or a refund. An earlier meeting between the two sides near Koba Circle on May 17 reportedly ended in a heated argument without resolution.According to the FIR, both parties met again on Monday evening at a gym in Kudasan after mutual acquaintances attempted to broker a settlement. Patel alleged that Mahendrasinh and Abhimanyusinh arrived with around 10 associates, some armed with knives, sticks and other sharp-edged weapons.Before discussions could begin, the group allegedly attacked those present while warning them against repeatedly demanding the money back, the complaint stated.Bharat Singh Chandawat sustained multiple stab injuries, including a critical wound to his back. He was taken to Gandhinagar Civil Hospital before being shifted to KD Hospital in Ahmedabad, where he remains admitted to the intensive care unit.The complainant also suffered knife injuries, while his father, Bharat Khambhala and Pradip Patel were allegedly assaulted. The accused are also alleged to have vandalised the complainant’s car.Police on Tuesday paraded the accused while carrying out a crime scene reconstruction.
