Devayat Khavad Arrested from Farmhouse: Months of Revenge Plot Unfolds in Shocking Gujarat Assault Case
In a dramatic turn of events that has stunned Gujarat, renowned folk artist and singer Devayat Khavad was arrested along with six others from a farmhouse near Dudhai in connection with a violent assault on Dhruvrajsinh Chauhan, a resident of Sanathal in Ahmedabad. The incident, which took place on August 12, 2025, involved an armed attack, looting, and alleged death threats, all of which stem from an ongoing feud between two groups with a history of confrontation. According to police, Devayat and his group had been planning a retaliatory assault for a long time, and a tip-off on the night of August 16 led to their early morning capture the next day.
The incident dates back to a brutal attack that occurred in Chitrod village near Talala, where Devayat Khavad and nearly 15 associates reportedly rammed Dhruvrajsinh Chauhan’s Kia car multiple times using a Fortuner and a Creta SUV. After forcing the vehicle to a stop, the assailants allegedly smashed the car windows with iron rods, hurled abuses, and threatened to kill Chauhan at gunpoint. Devayat, reportedly holding a revolver, issued threats to not file a police complaint, and the group allegedly looted a 15-tola gold chain and ₹43,000 in cash from the vehicle. The victim, injured in the attack, was rushed first to Talala and then transferred to Junagadh Civil Hospital for further treatment.
Following the incident, police swung into action. Two cars used in the assault were later found abandoned in Gir Somnath district. Using vehicle registration details and CCTV footage, police traced Devayat to his farmhouse in Dudhai village. According to Gir Somnath SP Manoharsinh Jadeja, seven police teams were formed to investigate the case and track down the suspects. They relied on mobile surveillance, tip-offs, local informants, and coordination across multiple districts.
The arrests took place early on the morning of August 17, 2025, after police received reliable intel that Devayat would be returning to his farmhouse. Surveillance footage confirmed that he had returned to the area shortly after the attack, had lunch at the farmhouse, and later left again, which matched other details from informants. Acting swiftly, the police raided the premises and detained Devayat along with six accomplices. They were then taken to the SP’s office in Inaaj for further interrogation.
SP Jadeja stated in a media briefing that Devayat and his men had long harbored intentions of revenge due to an earlier conflict in Sanathal, where a performance booking dispute had escalated. According to police, Devayat was supposed to perform at a Dayro event, but the performers arrived late, leading to verbal spats and police complaints from both sides. This feud later spilled over onto social media, where heated exchanges and accusatory status updates further fueled hostilities. Police believe that Dhruvrajsinh’s social media status about being in Sasan Gir triggered the planning of the ambush.
Police investigations revealed that the accused were systematically preparing for the attack and monitoring the victim’s movements. The attackers allegedly gathered at different locations and used throwaway mobile phones to avoid being tracked. The vehicles used in the crime were registered in Rajkot and Amreli, with one of them bearing a passing registration from Tharad, Banaskantha.
Devayat Khavad, though widely known for his contributions to Gujarati folk music and literature, has been entangled in multiple criminal cases. As per official records, there are five serious charges against him, including attempt to murder in Rajkot and fraud cases in Sanathal, along with violations under the Arms Act. His associates also face charges related to gambling and assault.
Police have invoked several sections under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against the accused, including Sections 109 (abetment), 311 (attempt to commit robbery), 118 (concealing design to commit offence), and 191, in addition to various provisions of the Arms Act. Further investigation is ongoing to identify and arrest other accomplices involved in the assault.
One of the key aspects of the ongoing investigation is to track the movements of the accused before and after the crime. SP Jadeja confirmed that multiple police teams were deployed across various districts to collect evidence, trace digital footprints, and analyze CCTV recordings. Special focus is being placed on the role of social media posts and their impact in inciting the incident. The authorities are also investigating the source of the weapons used and whether the accused received help from any external parties.
The long-standing animosity between the two groups dates back to February 20, 2025, when Devayat Khavad was reportedly attacked during a Dayro event in Sanathal. According to earlier complaints, his car was vandalized after he failed to appear at the event. Police had then registered a case against Bhagvatsinh Chauhan, Dhruvrajsinh Chauhan, Ram Chauhan, Meghrajsinh, and four others under charges of rioting and assault. In retaliation, Bhagvatsinh had also filed a complaint against Devayat Khavad, accusing him of fraud involving ₹8 lakh. Since then, tensions between the two groups had been escalating, culminating in the violent events of August 12.
With the arrest of seven suspects, police are now conducting identity parades and gathering forensic evidence. Further arrests are expected in the coming days. Meanwhile, the public and fans of Devayat Khavad remain shocked by the unfolding events, as one of Gujarat’s popular folk figures finds himself at the center of a violent criminal conspiracy. Authorities are assuring a thorough investigation and have urged people to avoid spreading rumors on social media as they work to bring all involved parties to justice.
