Surat Female RFO Shot in the Head: In a shocking development that has stunned the administrative and forest departments in Gujarat, a female Range Forest Officer (RFO) from Surat was found critically injured with a gunshot wound to the head inside her car on the Kamrej–Jokha road. The woman, identified as RFO Sonalben Solanki, was discovered in a pool of blood while her four-year-old son was also present in the vehicle during the incident.
Authorities have confirmed that Sonalben was immediately rushed to P.P. Savani Hospital, where doctors later revealed she had been shot in the head. The incident has now triggered a high-level investigation into what appears to be a case linked to personal and domestic tensions.
Incident: Car Found Crashed on Kamrej–Jokha Road
According to police reports, the vehicle driven by Sonalben Solanki was found crashed into a tree near Kamrej on the morning of November 6. Initially, it appeared to be a simple road accident. Emergency responders transported her to P.P. Savani Hospital for treatment. However, a subsequent CT scan revealed the presence of a bullet in her brain, confirming that she had sustained a gunshot wound rather than injuries from a crash.
Doctors immediately performed emergency surgery to remove the bullet. Medical officials have since described her condition as extremely critical, and she remains admitted in the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
Doctors’ Statement: Bullet Removed After Complex Brain Surgery
Dr. Jatin Mavani, a neurosurgeon at P.P. Savani Hospital, explained that Sonalben was brought in unconscious and bleeding heavily from her head.
“A CT scan showed a metallic object lodged inside her brain. Surgery revealed that a bullet had entered from the right side of her face and passed through to the left portion of the brain. The bullet was successfully removed, but her condition is still critical,”
said Dr. Mavani.
Hospital authorities confirmed that the patient is under continuous observation and her prognosis remains uncertain.
Two Days Before the Shooting: GPS Device Found in Her Car
Just two days before the shooting, RFO Sonalben Solanki had filed a police complaint at Kamrej Police Station after discovering a GPS tracking device installed in her car. She alleged that unknown persons had placed the device to monitor her movements, raising suspicions of espionage.
The timing of the GPS discovery and her subsequent shooting has led investigators to explore potential connections between the two incidents. The police are analyzing whether the same individuals responsible for the GPS device could have been involved in the shooting.
Marital Dispute with RTO Officer Husband
Investigations have also revealed that RFO Sonalben and her husband, Nikunj Solanki, an RTO (Regional Transport Office) Inspector, had been facing severe marital disputes for over two years. Sources confirm that the couple had been living separately and had filed court cases for divorce.
Reports suggest that the relationship between the two had become strained due to allegations of infidelity. In January this year, Nikunj was allegedly found in an apartment with another woman, which led to a public altercation when Sonalben arrived at the location with police officers. The confrontation drew widespread attention within the local community and administrative circles.
Following that incident, Sonalben lodged a police complaint against her husband and his family under several sections, including atrocity and domestic violence charges.
Police Investigation: Husband’s Phone Switched Off
After the latest incident in which the Surat female RFO was shot in the head, police have been unable to contact her husband, Nikunj Solanki, whose phone has been switched off since the event occurred.
Surat District Superintendent of Police Rajesh Gadhiya confirmed that a team has been formed to locate Nikunj and question him regarding the case.
“We received information about a car accident on Kamrej–Jokha Road. Upon arrival, officers discovered the woman inside the vehicle with severe head injuries. Later, medical reports confirmed the presence of a bullet wound. An FSL (Forensic Science Laboratory) team is currently at the scene, collecting evidence to determine whether this was an attempted suicide or a planned attack,”
said SP Gadhiya.
Police Cordon Off Area; FSL Begins Forensic Examination
Soon after the incident, Surat district police sealed off the area, and a forensic team began examining the vehicle and the surrounding site for ballistic evidence. Preliminary reports suggest that the bullet might have been fired from close range inside the car, though investigators are waiting for confirmation from ballistic experts.
Forensic specialists are also inspecting fingerprints, gunpowder traces, and the bullet’s trajectory to determine whether the shot was self-inflicted or fired by another person.
Previous Controversy: Husband Caught with Another Woman
This isn’t the first time the couple’s troubled marriage has drawn public attention. In early January, RFO Sonalben reportedly caught her husband with another woman inside an apartment in Keshavnagar, Umra area of Surat. She arrived at the spot with police officers and created a scene that drew several onlookers. The police detained both Nikunj and the woman for questioning.
Sonalben later alleged that her husband was living with the woman while still married to her. Following the confrontation, she filed a case against him and his family members under multiple legal sections, including harassment and atrocity laws.
Police Probe Focus: Link Between GPS Complaint and Gunshot Incident
The Surat police are now investigating whether there is any direct connection between the GPS surveillance complaint and the gunshot incident. Officers believe that the GPS device, found just 48 hours before the shooting, could provide crucial clues about who was tracking the RFO’s movements and why.
Investigators are examining CCTV footage from the Kamrej–Jokha stretch, analyzing call data records, and tracing the GPS purchase details. Police are also checking whether the firearm used in the shooting matches any weapons registered under the name of the RFO’s husband or his acquaintances.
Public Shock and Administrative Reaction
The incident has sent shockwaves through Surat’s Forest and Transport departments, as both the husband and wife were government officers. Senior officials from the Gujarat Forest Department have expressed concern over the growing pattern of personal disputes spilling into professional life.
Colleagues of Sonalben described her as a hardworking and disciplined officer, known for her dedication to protecting forest lands and wildlife in the Surat region. “She was always committed to her duty and handled her work responsibly. None of us could have imagined something like this happening,” said one of her coworkers, who requested anonymity.
Current Status: RFO Still Critical, Investigation Underway
As of Thursday morning, Sonalben Solanki remains in critical condition in the ICU at P.P. Savani Hospital. The police have recorded preliminary statements from family members and are now focusing on reconstructing the sequence of events leading to the gunfire.
Authorities have not ruled out any possibilities, including attempted murder or a planned suicide, though early evidence points toward foul play. The husband remains missing, and police have deployed multiple teams to trace his location.
Key Questions Investigators Are Exploring
- Was the GPS device planted by her husband or someone acting on his behalf?
- Did Sonalben know her attacker personally?
- Was the gun fired from inside or outside the car?
- Could this have been a professional attack made to look like a domestic dispute?
- Why did the husband switch off his phone immediately after the incident?
Broader Implications
The “Surat female RFO shot in the head” case raises serious concerns about the safety of women officers working in field and administrative positions. It also highlights how domestic conflicts can escalate into violent confrontations, even among educated and well-placed officials.
The Gujarat Police have assured the public that all leads are being pursued and that the investigation will be conducted transparently. Meanwhile, social media platforms are flooded with posts demanding justice for the injured officer and accountability from those responsible.
Conclusion
The case of the Surat female RFO shot in the head has now become one of Gujarat’s most closely watched investigations. As forensic teams work through evidence and the police trace the missing husband, the state waits for answers to a tragedy that has blurred the line between personal conflict and criminal conspiracy.
If proven to be a case of attempted murder, this incident could mark another disturbing chapter in the ongoing violence against women in India — even among those serving the nation in uniform.
