Major Prohibition Act Violation Uncovered in Ahmedabad District
What began as a joyous celebration for a couple's 25th wedding anniversary quickly escalated into a significant legal confrontation in Gujarat's prohibition-enforced territory. Sanand police executed a decisive late-night raid at a luxury weekend residence located in Goraj village, Ahmedabad district, uncovering a lavish party where foreign liquor was being served without any official permits.
Elaborate Anniversary Celebration Turns Into Police Operation
The event was organized by a 49-year-old Mumbai-based businessman to honor his wife's sister and her husband, who had previously resided in Mumbai before relocating to Ahmedabad for business purposes. The celebration took place at Safal Nirvana Greens, a private bungalow project on the outskirts of Sanand, specifically at plot number 200, which belongs to a friend of the host.
Acting on specific intelligence inputs, a police team from Sanand station arrived at the venue, where they discovered that numerous guests had traveled from outside Gujarat. Authorities allege that liquor had been illegally transported into the state specifically for this event, constituting a clear violation of the stringent Gujarat Prohibition Act.
Substantial Seizures and Legal Actions
During the comprehensive search operation, police confiscated:
- Eight sealed bottles of foreign liquor
- Seven half-filled bottles and three empty bottles
- Ten hookahs valued at Rs 10,000
- Approximately 70 drinking glasses
- Multiple packets and containers of hookah flavors
- 74 mobile phones worth approximately Rs 26.30 lakh
- 22 high-end vehicles valued at about Rs 2.65 crore
The total estimated value of all seized items, referred to as muddamal, reached nearly Rs 3 crore. Among the 81 individuals booked under various provisions of the prohibition law were a doctor, around a dozen chartered accountants, several businessmen, and their spouses.
Legal Proceedings and Ongoing Investigation
Police officials confirmed that while all 43 male attendees were formally arrested, the 38 women present were detained and subsequently released after receiving official notices. Ahmedabad Rural Superintendent of Police Om Prakash Jat provided details of the case, noting that an offense has been registered under multiple sections of the Gujarat Prohibition Act, including:
- Section 65(a)(a)
- Section 116(b)
- Section 66(1)(b)
- Section 75(a)
- Section 85(1)(3)
- Section 81
- Section 84
- Section 86
Authorities have emphasized that further investigation is actively underway to trace the original source of the confiscated liquor and identify additional individuals who may have been involved in organizing or facilitating the prohibited gathering. This case highlights the continued enforcement challenges in maintaining prohibition laws within Gujarat, particularly when dealing with organized events involving participants from outside the state.
