The incident occurred late Friday night when a Mercedes car, registration number GJ18 BJ 6763, was spotted near the Athletics Ground. In the video, the driver is seen stepping out of the vehicle, surveying the area, and attempting to uproot a signboard installed by the Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC). When the board did not come loose, the driver returned to the car and drove away.
Subsequent verification revealed that the vehicle belongs to Vajubhai Vala, former Gujarat Finance Minister and former Governor of Karnataka. The car was later found parked at Vala’s residence on Amin Marg Road, close to the site of the incident.
According to Paresh Joshi, a local resident who recorded the video, the Mercedes first struck the signboard while reversing. “After hitting the board, the driver got out and tried to remove it from its base. Since it is public property, I felt it was important to record what was happening,” Joshi said.
When contacted by Divya Bhaskar, Vajubhai Vala reportedly declined to comment and went inside his residence. Shortly after, the driver seen in the video, identified as Ranvir, spoke briefly to reporters. He claimed the signboard was obstructing parking near the athletics ground and said he only shook it, not uprooted it. The driver also alleged that the vehicle sustained damage after colliding with the signboard while reversing. He declined to answer further questions and left the spot.
The signboard in question is part of municipal infrastructure placed to regulate traffic and parking around the Athletics Ground, a public facility frequently used by residents. Civic officials said no formal complaint has yet been registered, but the video is being reviewed.
The episode has reignited debate over accountability and the perceived privilege associated with political labels, even when attached to former office-holders. Residents in the area said such incidents undermine respect for civic rules and public property.
As of Saturday evening, the Rajkot Municipal Corporation had not issued an official statement on whether action would be taken against the driver for alleged tampering with municipal property. Police sources said any further steps would depend on a formal complaint and verification of facts.
