Surat RFO Shot While Driving Son to School — Investigation Focuses on Husband
Introduction
In a deeply concerning incident that has gripped Surat, Range Forest Officer (RFO) Sonal Solanki remains in critical condition after sustaining a gunshot injury while driving her four-year-old son to school on 6 November 2025. What was initially believed to be a road accident soon revealed signs of a deliberate attack. The investigation has since intensified, with police focusing their inquiry on her estranged husband, Nikunj Goswami, a Regional Transport Office (RTO) inspector.
Details of the Incident
According to reports from The Indian Express and The Times of India, Sonal Solanki left her residence in Jokha village around 8:15 a.m., accompanied by her young son, in her WagonR car. By approximately 8:30 a.m., the vehicle had veered off the Kamrej–Vav road and collided with a roadside tree. Locals discovered her slumped over the steering wheel, injured and unconscious, with her son crying beside her.
She was first rushed to a nearby hospital and later transferred to P. P. Sawani Hospital in Surat, where doctors identified a bullet lodged above her right eye. Surgeons performed a four-hour operation to remove it. Medical authorities confirmed that Solanki remains on ventilator support, and her condition continues to be critical.
(Source: The Indian Express)
Key Evidence and Investigation Progress
As per information shared with The Indian Express and The New Indian Express, several crucial findings have guided the investigation so far:
- GPS Tracking Device: Just two days before the incident, Sonal had filed a police complaint after discovering a GPS tracker fitted inside her car’s bonnet. The device, found with a SIM card, had raised suspicions that she was being monitored.
- Vehicle Examination: Investigators noted that the car’s driver-side window was open while all other windows were shut — suggesting the shot may have been fired from outside the vehicle.
- Licensed Firearm: The main suspect, Nikunj Goswami, reportedly owned a licensed revolver. Authorities confirmed that he had been on extended leave and has remained unreachable since the day of the incident.
- Witness Account: CCTV footage reviewed by investigators shows Solanki’s car looping the same route twice before crashing. Police believe her four-year-old son might be the only direct witness to what occurred moments before the gunshot.
- FIR Registered: Solanki’s brother filed an FIR at the Kamrej Police Station, naming Nikunj Goswami as the primary suspect under sections related to attempted murder and harassment.
(Sources: The Indian Express, The New Indian Express, Times of India)
Background: Marriage and Professional Career
Sonal Solanki, 34, has served with the Gujarat Forest Department for over a decade. Currently posted as a Range Forest Officer in the Planning Division, she previously worked in Dang district before her promotion to Surat.
(Source: The Indian Express)
She married Nikunj Goswami in 2020, and the couple has a young son. Family members revealed that the relationship had been strained for nearly two years, leading Solanki to live separately with her child at her parental home in Jokha village. She had also lodged earlier complaints alleging domestic harassment and the presence of a GPS tracking device in her car.
(Source: The Indian Express)
Current Status and Ongoing Investigation
Doctors at P. P. Sawani Hospital have stated that Sonal Solanki’s condition shows slow improvement, though she remains under close observation for at least 72 hours. Her medical team will provide updates as her condition stabilizes.
(Source: The New Indian Express)
Meanwhile, police have intensified their search for Nikunj Goswami, who is still absconding. Multiple teams are tracing his possible location across Gujarat and nearby states. Investigators are also:
- Analyzing the forensic report of the bullet recovered from Solanki’s head.
- Checking whether the GPS-tracking complaint and the shooting are connected.
- Preparing to record the child’s statement in the presence of child-welfare officers.
(Sources: Times of India, Gujarat Samachar, Indian Express)
Why the Case Matters
The case underscores important concerns regarding personal safety, cyber-monitoring, and domestic harassment among public officials. The attack on a serving forest officer also highlights the urgent need for better security measures for government personnel. Beyond the criminal investigation, the matter has raised social awareness about women’s safety, responsible firearm use, and privacy violations through surveillance devices.
Conclusion
The case of RFO Sonal Solanki has evolved from a suspected accident to a complex investigation involving forensic analysis, family disputes, and digital evidence. With the main suspect still missing and the victim under critical care, law-enforcement officials continue their pursuit of truth and justice.
As Gujarat awaits Solanki’s recovery, the focus remains on ensuring a fair, transparent investigation and reinforcing protections for all government officers who serve the public with dedication.v
