Major Police Raid in Gujarat: 81 Detained for Alleged Liquor Consumption at Anniversary Party
In a significant enforcement action highlighting Gujarat's strict prohibition laws, the Ahmedabad Rural Police have detained 81 individuals for allegedly consuming liquor during a private party near Ahmedabad. The raid, conducted shortly after midnight on Wednesday, targeted a villa on the outskirts of the city where a marriage anniversary celebration was underway.
Details of the Police Operation and Seizures
According to official statements, the detained persons include 43 men and 38 women. The police seized a substantial collection of items during the operation, including alcohol bottles, hookahs, vehicles, and mobile phones. The total estimated value of the seized items amounts to an impressive Rs 2.91 crore.
The specific items confiscated include:
- 8 sealed bottles of foreign liquor from various brands
- 7 half-filled liquor bottles
- 3 empty bottles of foreign liquor from different brands
- 70 drinking glasses
- 10 hookahs with rubber pipes
- 8 packets of hookah flavors
- 33 plastic containers of hookah flavors
- 74 mobile phones
- 22 cars
Organizer and Party Details
Police identified the party organizer as Amit Gopilal Pacheriwal, a 49-year-old resident of Marine Drive, Mumbai. The event was reportedly organized to celebrate the 25th wedding anniversary of his brother-in-law, Adarsh Agarwal. The celebration took place at Plot No. 200 of Safal Nirvana Greens near Goraj village on the outskirts of Ahmedabad.
"He invited his friend Ravi Gorakhpuria's female and male friends and brought a quantity of imported foreign liquor. And without any pass or permit, they hosted a party," stated SP Om Prakash Jat in an official release.
Legal Action and Charges
The accused individuals have been booked at Sanand police station under multiple sections of the Gujarat Prohibition Act. The charges include violations of Sections 65(A)(A), 116(B), 66(1)(B), 75(A), 85(1)(3), 81, 84, and 86 of the legislation that strictly prohibits the manufacturing, sale, and consumption of liquor throughout the state.
Gujarat's Prohibition Context and Recent Exemptions
Gujarat has maintained its status as a "dry state" with comprehensive prohibition laws for decades. However, in recent years, the government has introduced certain exemptions to accommodate international business requirements.
In 2023, the state government made a significant exception for Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) in Gandhinagar. This global finance center was permitted to allow the sale and consumption of alcohol within its central business district under specific conditions.
Further easing occurred in December of last year when the state government revised the alcohol rules at GIFT City. According to the updated regulations, any person from outside Gujarat or India can now consume liquor at designated hotels or restaurants within GIFT City by simply presenting a photo identification card.
This recent enforcement action near Ahmedabad underscores the continued strict implementation of prohibition laws in most parts of Gujarat, even as selective exemptions are being introduced in specific economic zones to facilitate international business operations.
