Gujarat: Two men arrested for alerting illegal miners via WhatsApp group
Synopsis
A paid WhatsApp group named 'Jai Ramadhani' was running a subscription-based tip-off service for illegal miners in Bhavnagar — members paid ₹1,000 a month to receive real-time audio alerts on government officials' movements. Two men have been arrested, exposing a commercialised surveillance layer within Gujarat's illegal mining ecosystem.
Key Takeaways
Bhavnagar LCB arrested two men on 29 October 2026 for running a WhatsApp surveillance network aiding illegal miners.
The group, named 'Jai Ramadhani' , sent real-time audio alerts on government officials' vehicle movements to members involved in illegal mineral excavation.
Members were allegedly charged ₹1,000 per month for access to the tip-off service.
The accused — Bhagirathsinh Vala and Rohit Rathod — were identified after SDM M D Parmar spotted them monitoring his movements near the old Collector's office.
A motorcycle and mobile phone were seized; the case has been registered at Nilambaug police station for further investigation.
Two men were arrested in Gujarat's Bhavnagar district on 29 October 2026 for running a paid WhatsApp surveillance network that fed real-time movement alerts about government officials to people engaged in illegal mining, enabling them to evade enforcement checks. The arrests were made by the Bhavnagar Local Crime Branch (LCB) after an alert from the district's Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM).
How the Operation Worked
The two accused reportedly operated a WhatsApp group named 'Jai Ramadhani', to which they had added individuals involved in illegal mineral excavation and transportation across the Bhavnagar region. Positioned near the entrance of the old Collector's office, they tracked the movement of vehicles used by the SDM and other government officials, relaying updates through audio messages in the group.
According to the police, each member of the group was allegedly charged ₹1,000 per month for access to these official-movement alerts — effectively a subscription-based tip-off service for illegal operators.
SDM's Suspicion Triggered the Arrest
SDM M D Parmar first grew suspicious after noticing the two men sitting near the old Collector's office entrance and apparently monitoring his movements along with those of other officials. He alerted the police, prompting an LCB team to reach the spot and detain the suspects.
During questioning, the accused allegedly admitted to running the WhatsApp group and sharing official movement data with its members. Following this, SDM Parmar lodged a formal complaint at Nilambaug police station, after which an offence was registered. The accused were handed over to the station for further investigation.
Accused Identified, Items Seized
The arrested men have been identified as Bhagirathsinh Vala, a resident of Shramjivi Society near Shivaji Circle in Bhavnagar, and Rohit Rathod, a resident of Ruva village on Airport Road. Police seized a motorcycle and a mobile phone from them.
Who Led the Operation
The LCB operation was led by Inspector H B Chauhan, supported by Sub-Inspectors R A Vadher, V C Jadeja, P D Zala, and V B Chaudhary, along with other personnel. Officials noted that the operation followed standing instructions from senior authorities to identify individuals involved in illegal mining and those allegedly facilitating evasion of government enforcement.
Wider Context: Illegal Mining in Gujarat
Illegal mineral extraction has been a persistent challenge across several Gujarat districts, with enforcement agencies periodically cracking down on organised networks. This case notably reveals a newer layer of the ecosystem — a structured, subscription-based intelligence network helping illegal operators stay ahead of officials. Notably, the paid model suggests the surveillance ring was not opportunistic but systematically commercialised. Investigators are now expected to examine whether more members of the WhatsApp group can be identified and pursued.
Point of View
000-a-month subscription to evade government checks suggests organised, repeat demand from mining operators, not ad hoc corruption. The more pressing question is how large the 'Jai Ramadhani' network's member list is and whether similar WhatsApp rings exist in other mining-prone districts. Enforcement agencies have historically focused on operators and transporters; this arrest points to the need for a parallel focus on the support infrastructure that enables evasion at scale.
NationPress
30 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were the two men arrested in Bhavnagar?
They were arrested on 29 October 2026 for allegedly running a WhatsApp group called 'Jai Ramadhani' that sent real-time audio alerts about government officials' movements to people involved in illegal mining, helping them evade enforcement checks. The Bhavnagar LCB detained them after an alert from the local SDM.
How did the paid WhatsApp surveillance network operate?
The two accused positioned themselves near the old Collector's office in Bhavnagar and tracked the movements of the SDM and other officials. They relayed updates via audio messages in the WhatsApp group and allegedly charged each member ₹1,000 per month for the service.
Who are the accused and what was seized from them?
The arrested men are Bhagirathsinh Vala of Shramjivi Society near Shivaji Circle, Bhavnagar, and Rohit Rathod of Ruva village on Airport Road. Police seized a motorcycle and a mobile phone from them.
What action followed the arrests?
SDM M D Parmar lodged a formal complaint at Nilambaug police station after the accused allegedly admitted during questioning to running the group. An offence has been registered and the accused handed over to the station for further investigation.
What is the broader significance of this case?
The case exposes a commercialised support layer within Gujarat's illegal mining ecosystem, where operators paid a monthly fee for intelligence on official movements. Investigators are expected to pursue other members of the WhatsApp group as the probe widens.
