Ahmedabad, August 25: Following the tragic death of 13 individuals due to toxic alcohol in Bhavnagar district, the Gujarat police have ramped up their efforts against illegal liquor across the state. In a special operation conducted over four days, the Ahmedabad city police registered 436 prohibition cases and arrested 476 individuals.
This operation, directed by Director General of Police (DGP) G.S. Malik, took place from August 18 to 21, aiming to curb activities related to illegal liquor in the state.
Ahmedabad Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gehlot reported that various police stations and crime branch teams participated in the operation. Among the 436 cases registered, 73 were related to foreign liquor, with three categorized as serious offenses. The police seized 11,479 bottles of foreign liquor and beer, valued at ₹29.93 lakh, bringing the total estimated value of seized assets to ₹80.56 lakh.
Additionally, the police recorded 336 cases related to country liquor, confiscating 3,693 liters worth approximately ₹7.38 lakh, with a total asset value of ₹8.43 lakh in these cases.
In a significant move, seven individuals allegedly involved in the illegal liquor trade were charged under the Prevention of Anti-Social Activities Act and sent to jail. The Solna police seized 2,762 bottles of foreign liquor and beer, valued at ₹5.05 lakh, along with a car worth ₹4.5 lakh, leading to four arrests.
The Sabarmati police confiscated 1,740 bottles and cash from one individual, while the Naroda police seized 3,840 bottles valued at ₹12.61 lakh, a car worth ₹10 lakh, mobile phones, and cash, resulting in four arrests.
This crackdown comes as the police and administration investigate the toxic liquor incident in Bhavnagar, where the death toll reached 13 by August 23. Mukesh Damor (36) and Bhargav Upadhyay (42) succumbed during treatment, while three others remain hospitalized.
Authorities have confirmed that methanol was present in the liquor involved in the incident, which was reportedly sold in bottles resembling the popular brand ‘Royal Stag’.
In the Bhavnagar case, the police have filed FIRs against 21 accused, with 27 arrests made during the investigation. Agencies are also probing how the raw materials used for the toxic liquor reached from Madhya Pradesh and neighboring states, as well as the manufacturing and distribution network in Bhavnagar and surrounding villages.
Commissioner Gehlot emphasized that this operation will not be limited to just four days, as the Ahmedabad police have intensified actions against anti-social elements, with around 41 individuals targeted in the past ten days.
Deependra Singh Chundawat is a Senior Sub-Editor at Udaipur Kiran, specializing in a wide range of technology topics including mobile phones, applications, gaming, PCs, and wearables. Along with covering the latest tech news, he also creates engaging web stories. Passionate about emerging technologies, he stays up to date with the newest trends and enjoys reading and writing about the latest mobile launches and digital innovations.