Ahmedabad jeweller slaps alleged female robber 15 times after chilli powder attack; equality or excess?

New Delhi: On November 3 around midday inside a jewellery store near the Ranip vegetable market in Ahmedabad, a woman entered posing as a customer. CCTV footage shows her sitting in front of the owner, partly covering her face with a dupatta. Suddenly she attempted to throw red chilli powder into the jeweller’s eyes — apparently to distract him and carry out a robbery. The Confrontation and Viral Moment The jeweller, taken by surprise, reacted quickly when the chilli powder missed its mark. He leapt over the counter and proceeded to strike the woman repeatedly — over 15 times within seconds, according to video evidence. He then dragged her out of the store. The dramatic footage of the episode went viral on social media, drawing intense commentary. Social Media Response: Equality or Excess? In the aftermath, reactions split along interesting lines. Some users framed the incident as a case of “equality” in treatment of crime, insisting that whether male or female, the response should be the same. One X (formerly Twitter) caption read: “He believes in woman‑man equality so even the female thief got the same justice.” Others questioned the legality and ethics of the jeweller’s response. The incident ignited discussion over vigilantism and gender roles in crime and punishment. अहमदाबाद में एक महिला ने ज्वेलरी स्टोर मालिक की आँखों में लाल मिर्च डालकर लूटने की कोशिश की। आँख में मिर्ची जाने के बाद भी महिला–पुरुष समानता में विश्वास रखने वाले मालिक ने समानता निभाते हुए उस चोरनी को अत्यंत सेवाभाव से 18 थप्पड़ जड़े। अवश्य देखें। pic.twitter.com/2xAktqp9jY — Indrajit (@Lotus_indrajit) November 7, 2025 Police Response and Legal Complications While the police at Ranip station have begun examining CCTV recordings to trace and identify the woman, the jeweller declined to file a complaint. Inspector Ketan Vyas confirmed that they are investigating based on footage, though formal legal action remains limited. The absence of a complaint complicates proceedings, raising questions about how the case will move forward. Uttarakhand beggar hides lakhs in coins and notes; How did she do it for 12 years? Is This the New Equality? The idea of equality in law and justice traditionally implies uniform treatment regardless of gender. But when a female perpetrator is physically struck by a male victim in this manner, is it truly equality or does it blur into justification of violence? The public’s positive reaction to the jeweller’s retaliation suggests that many view it as justified, but legal scholars and rights activists might view the episode as a dangerous precedent for self‑help and extrajudicial force. Final Take This incident in Ahmedabad serves as a flashpoint for multiple themes: evolving theft tactics (use of chilli powder), shop‑owner vulnerability, social media’s role in shaping public opinion, gender dynamics in crime and response, and the thin line between justice and vigilantism. While the jeweller’s swift action prevented the theft, the broader implications of his response and the public cheer it received warrant reflection on what justice looks like in real time.