For 14 years, Amarshi Sumra lived with the memory of his teenage son, Pankaj, who was killed during police firing in Thangadh, Gujarat, in 2012.
The case never fully went away. An inquiry report remained undisclosed, two of the three killings did not result in chargesheets and one case continued in court.
On 26 August 2026, Amarshi, 53, died after being run over by a train near the same area where his son lost his life. Police registered an Accidental Death report. His family, however, linked his death to the grief and frustration he had carried for years over the unresolved case.
Here is what happened in Thangadh, why the case has remained unresolved and what its legal status is today.
It Started With A Clash At A Fair
The original incident took place on 22 September 2012 during the Tarnetar fair in Thangadh, Surendranagar district.
An argument between members of Dalit and Bharwad communities escalated into a clash. Police moved in to control the situation and used tear gas before opening fire.
Pankaj Sumra, who was 16, was shot and taken to hospital. He later died. The following day, protests by members of the Dalit community led to another round of police firing.
Prakash Parmar, 26, and Mehul Rathod, 17, were killed. Another young man, Chana Vaniya, was injured.
The police maintained that firing was carried out to control the violence. Families of the victims alleged that the youths were killed in police firing.
What Happened To Pankaj’s Family?
Pankaj’s father, Amarshi Sumra, spent the years after his son’s death seeking justice.
According to his family, the prolonged wait deeply affected him. His brother Vinu Bagda told The Indian Express that Amarshi often spoke about the case continuing without a conclusion.
The timing of his death also came as the annual Tarnetar fair approached. The fair had been taking place when Pankaj was killed in 2012.
A few days before his death, Amarshi reportedly told his brother that he no longer had the will to live. His family also said he had spoken to his daughter, who was upset about not having her brother to celebrate Raksha Bandhan with.
These accounts provide the family's explanation for his state of mind. They do not, however, establish an official cause of death.
What Did The Police Do In 2012?
The case went through several investigations.
A CID (Crime) investigation found that police had used AK-47 rifles during the firing. In February 2013, the CID arrested three policemen, including a police sub-inspector, on murder charges linked to the deaths.
The Gujarat government had also ordered an inquiry by IAS officer Sanjay Prasad.
Prasad submitted his report in May 2013. But the report was never made public.
The government later maintained that the report was under consideration. Families of the victims approached the Gujarat High Court and the Gujarat Information Commission seeking access to it.
Then Came A Fresh Investigation
After renewed protests over the killings, the Gujarat government formed a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) in August 2016. The team was headed by IPS officer Anupam Singh Gahlaut.
The SIT registered a case concerning Pankaj Sumra’s alleged killing and eventually filed a chargesheet against four policemen.
But the other two cases, concerning the deaths of Prakash Parmar and Mehul Rathod, were closed, according to The Indian Express.
That left the families with a sharply different legal outcome for the three deaths.
Where Does The Case Stand Now?
As of August 2026, the case concerning Pankaj’s death is still before the district court in Surendranagar.
Three of the four policemen accused in that case are facing trial. The proceedings are currently at the stage of recording prosecution evidence.
No chargesheets were filed in the cases concerning Mehul and Prakash, according to the latest reporting by The Indian Express.
The Sanjay Prasad inquiry report also remains undisclosed, according to the latest reports.
That is why, nearly 14 years after the Thangadh firing, the families are still seeking answers about what happened and who should be held responsible.
Amarshi Sumra’s death has now brought the old case back into focus.
For his family, the wait for justice had already lasted 14 years. His death has added another painful chapter to a case that remains unresolved.
TL;DR | News At a Glance
What happened in Thangadh in 2012?
Three Dalit youths, including 16-year-old Pankaj Sumra, died during police firing after clashes at a fair.
Why did Amarshi Sumra’s death become linked to the case?
His family said his prolonged grief and frustration over the unresolved case had deeply affected him. Police have registered an Accidental Death report.
What happened after the firing?
A CID probe investigated the police action, while the Gujarat government ordered an inquiry by IAS officer Sanjay Prasad.
What happened to that inquiry report?
The report was submitted in May 2013 but its contents were never made public, according to the latest reporting.
What is the legal status now?
The case concerning Pankaj’s death is being tried in Surendranagar district court. Three accused policemen are facing trial, while the cases concerning the other two deaths were closed.
