Ahmedabad rape case: Security agency owner booked for expired licence, untrained guard
Synopsis
An Ahmedabad rape case has exposed a regulatory failure at its core: the guard accused of sexually assaulting a 23-year-old woman had been deployed just four days after joining, with no training, no police verification, and no valid ID — by an agency whose operating licence had already expired. The owner now faces criminal charges under PASARA.
Key Takeaways
Dharamsingh Rathod , a guard at A-One Security Agency , allegedly raped a 23-year-old woman on the terrace of a residential complex in Jodhpur village, Ahmedabad on 8 August 2026 .
Rathod had joined the agency only four days before the incident and was deployed without formal training, police verification, or a security ID card.
The agency's PASARA licence had expired on 5 April 2026 ; no renewal had been initiated despite the agency operating since 2015 .
Agency owner Ramprakash Tiwari (50) has been booked under Section 20(1) of the Private Security Agencies (Regulation) Act, 2005 .
During a recovery panchnama in Hebatpur , Rathod allegedly attempted to escape and snatch a service revolver; police fired two rounds , hitting him in the leg — both he and Constable Virendrasinh were hospitalised in stable condition.
A separate case for the escape attempt is being registered against Rathod; the rape investigation remains ongoing.
Ahmedabad Police have registered a separate case against the owner of a private security agency following their investigation into the alleged rape of a 23-year-old woman at a residential complex in the Jodhpur village area of Ahmedabad on 8 August 2026. The probe revealed that the accused guard had been deployed just four days after joining the agency — without formal training, police verification, or a security identification card.
The Accused and the Alleged Assault
The accused guard, identified as Dharamsingh Rathod, was employed by A-One Security Agency and had been posted at the residential complex where the victim was staying. According to police, the sequence of events on the night of 8 August began when Rathod went to the terrace at around 9 pm. The woman arrived there at approximately 9:15 pm for a walk.
Police allege that Rathod approached her, demanded a physical relationship, and subsequently attacked her. He allegedly used a wire to strangle her and covered her mouth before sexually assaulting her. The accused reportedly left the terrace at around 10:25 pm after locking the door. The woman later raised an alarm, prompting other residents to reach the terrace and alert the police.
Officers from Anandnagar Police arrived at the scene at around 11 pm and began examining the site. Rathod was arrested on 9 August following an overnight search involving around 10 teams from multiple departments.
Agency Owner Booked Under PASARA
Investigation into the guard's appointment led police to A-One Security Agency's licence status. Authorities found that the agency's licence under the Private Security Agencies (Regulation) Act (PASARA) had expired on 5 April 2026. The agency, reportedly operating since 2015, had last renewed its licence in 2021 for five years, but no renewal process was initiated after the licence lapsed.
The agency's owner, 50-year-old Ramprakash Tiwari, was questioned over Rathod's appointment and the agency's licence status. Police found that Rathod had been employed without security training, police verification, or a valid security identification card. Anandnagar Police subsequently registered a case against Ramprakash Harishankar under Section 20(1) of the Private Security Agencies (Regulation) Act, 2005. Further investigation into the agency's operations is under way.
Escape Attempt and Police Firing
The case took a further turn during a recovery panchnama in Hebatpur, when police allege that Dharamsingh attempted to escape custody and tried to snatch the service revolver of Police Inspector R S Parmar. During the ensuing scuffle, Constable Virendrasinh was injured. Police fired two rounds, one of which struck Dharamsingh in the leg. Both were taken to hospital and were reported to be stable.
Police have said a separate case will be registered against Rathod in connection with the alleged escape attempt and bid to seize the firearm, while the original rape investigation continues.
Regulatory Gaps Under Scrutiny
The incident has brought into sharp focus the regulatory framework governing private security agencies in India. PASARA mandates that agencies maintain valid licences and ensure guards undergo prescribed training and police verification before deployment. In this case, all three requirements were allegedly violated. This comes amid broader concerns about oversight of the private security sector, which employs millions across the country with varying levels of regulatory compliance. Authorities have not yet indicated whether a wider audit of security agencies in the region is planned.
Point of View
A guard with no training or verification, posted at a residential complex within four days of joining: each failure is a distinct regulatory lapse, not a one-off oversight. PASARA has been on the books since 2005, yet enforcement remains sporadic. If a licence can lapse for months without triggering any audit or suspension, the regulation is effectively decorative. The question authorities must answer is not only why Ramprakash Tiwari is being charged now, but how many other agencies in Ahmedabad — and across Gujarat — are operating in similar conditions.
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is accused in the Ahmedabad rape case?
The accused is Dharamsingh Rathod , a security guard employed by A-One Security Agency in Ahmedabad. He allegedly sexually assaulted a 23-year-old woman on the terrace of a residential complex in the Jodhpur village area on the night of 8 August 2026. He was arrested on 9 August after an overnight search.
Why has the security agency owner been booked?
Agency owner Ramprakash Tiwari has been booked under Section 20(1) of the Private Security Agencies (Regulation) Act, 2005, because the agency's PASARA licence had expired on 5 April 2026 and Rathod was deployed without training, police verification, or a valid security ID card.
What is PASARA and what does it require?
PASARA — the Private Security Agencies (Regulation) Act, 2005 — is the central law governing private security firms in India. It requires agencies to hold a valid licence and ensure all guards undergo prescribed training and police verification before deployment. Violations can attract criminal charges against agency owners.
What happened during the recovery panchnama in Hebatpur?
During a recovery panchnama in Hebatpur, Dharamsingh Rathod allegedly attempted to escape police custody and tried to snatch the service revolver of Police Inspector R S Parmar. In the ensuing scuffle, Constable Virendrasinh was injured. Police fired two rounds; one struck Rathod in the leg. Both were hospitalised and reported stable.
What is the current status of the investigation?
The rape investigation against Dharamsingh Rathod is ongoing. A separate case for the alleged escape attempt and bid to seize a firearm is also being registered against him. The case against agency owner Ramprakash Tiwari under PASARA is under further investigation, with police examining the agency's broader operations.
