In a significant crackdown on liquor smuggling, the State Monitoring Cell (SMC) in Rajkot confiscated a massive consignment of Indian-Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) valued at more than Rs 2.22 crore. The operation unfolded during a late-night raid in Atkot village, located in Jasdan taluka, based on specific intelligence about a smuggling network using heavy vehicles.
Late-Night Interception Leads to Major Haul
Acting on a tip about large-scale smuggling activity, an SMC team intercepted a tanker parked near Bapa Sitaram Hotel in Atkot village on Saturday night. The officials detained two individuals found inside the vehicle's cabin. They were identified as 21-year-old Jogaram Jat from Barmer, Rajasthan, and a 17-year-old cleaner named Anil Pandya from Fatehpur, Rajasthan.
A thorough search of the tanker resulted in the stunning recovery of 26,724 bottles of illicit liquor. Police Sub-Inspector S V Galchar, who led the raid, stated that credible information suggested Pandya was transporting the liquor into the dry state of Gujarat from Punjab.
Investigation Reveals Smuggling Modus Operandi
During questioning, Jogaram Jat revealed that he had been working with Anil Pandya for approximately six months. He stated that he received instructions over the phone to stop at Atkot. Jogaram claimed he was promised a payment of Rs 1 lakh upon successful delivery, after having already been given Rs 40,000 for diesel expenses.
The police investigation further uncovered that the liquor was supposed to be handed over to an unidentified receiver. This person was expected to contact Jogaram via a WhatsApp call to coordinate the final handover, indicating a planned and organized operation.
Repeat Offender and Legal Action
Preliminary investigations shed light on the alleged mastermind's criminal history. Anil Pandya is suspected to be a key figure and is a repeat offender. Shockingly, 17 prohibition cases are already registered against him across multiple districts in Gujarat. These districts include Kutch, Vadodara, Gandhinagar, Banaskantha, Panchmahal, Jamnagar, Porbandar, Surendranagar, and Mehsana.
Following the raid, a formal case has been registered at the Atkot police station. The charges have been filed under the stringent Prohibition Act and relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The accused named in the FIR include Jogaram Jat, the alleged key supplier Anil Pandya, his aide, the owner of the tanker, and the unidentified consignment receiver. The SMC's successful operation highlights the ongoing efforts to curb the illegal liquor trade in Gujarat.
