A shocking crime has shaken Gujarat’s Mehsana district. Shardaben Thakor, a 60–year-old widow, was found murdered and buried in a local farmers’ property after leaving home. It’s understood police made robbery a motive as jewellery worth Rs 4.40 lakh was stolen.
Shardaben left her home in Indrad village on March 20 to bring in grass from farmers’ fields. When her son Govindji Baldevji Thakor couldn’t see her when evening approached, he started searching desperately for her. At the local police station, her missing person’s report was filed.
The breakthrough came from digital evidence. CCTV footage from a private company showed Shardaben walking towards a property known as “Savita Farm.” Crucially, no cameras observed her leaving the property. Given this result, police and family members searched the farm. A lemon orchard they visited found it was very heavily disturbed with some fresh soil. For that reason, Shardaben’s body was found buried approximately one foot deep in the hole when it was unearthed.
The police complaint states that Shardaben was struck on the back of the head with a heavy blunt object. The killers attempted to hide the murder weapons, an axe and a sickle by burying them nearby. Her gold bangles, earrings, and silver anklets, worth Rs 4.40 lakh, were stripped from her body before she was dumped in the pit.
Police have registered a case of murder and robbery. They have identified the various suspects who were connected with Savita Farm and they are interrogating those who had access to Savita Farm. While no formal arrests have been announced yet, investigators say they are working on the "unknown persons" mentioned in the FIR.
The brutal killing shocked the local community. Grieving and angry residents appealed for swift justice and stronger safety measures in such rural settings. The case highlights how vulnerable individuals can become easy targets for criminals seeking quick financial gain.
The murder of Shardaben Thakor is a tragedy and serves as a striking example of what rural women face daily while performing simple tasks. With jewellery worth Rs 4.40 lakh stolen, and her life brutally taken, the crime underscores the need for vigilance and effective policing. As investigations continue, the community awaits justice for Shardaben and accountability for those responsible for this cold-blooded attack.
