The Gujarat Police's State Monitoring Cell (SMC) seized government-supplied foodgrains and property collectively worth ₹42.32 lakh during raids at two locations in Junagadh district on 9 November 2026, cracking down on an alleged racket that diverted subsidised rations meant for the poor away from the public distribution system (PDS). Six people were arrested during the operation, while 15 others have been named as wanted accused.

How the Operation Unfolded

Acting on the directive of Director General of Police G.S. Malik to curb illegal activities across the state, an SMC team led by Inspector A.Y. Baloch conducted simultaneous raids at Bilkha and Bantwa towns following intelligence that fair price shop owners and dealers were illegally diverting foodgrains earmarked for economically weaker sections, including those living below the poverty line.

The first raid targeted a house occupied by Imtiyaz Chauhan near the railway crossing at Nagarechawadi, Street No. 3, under Bilkha police station limits. The second covered a house and godown occupied by Deepak alias Dipu Hemnani at Lake Street No. 8 in Bantwa town.

What Was Seized

Police recovered wheat, rice, tur dal, bajra, gram, soybean and other foodgrains with a combined value of ₹30.35 lakh — all of it reportedly meant for subsidised distribution. The haul also included four vehicles worth ₹11.35 lakh, seven mobile phones valued at ₹51,000, four electronic weighing scales worth ₹8,000, cash of ₹2,500, and a rough bill book used to log transactions. The total estimated value of all seized property stands at ₹42.32 lakh, according to police.

Who Was Arrested and Who Is Wanted

The six arrested accused are Imtiyaz Chauhan and Mustaqbhai Chauhan from Bilkha, and Rajkumar alias Bablo Ahuja, Sunilkumar Pahlajani, Kiran Solanki, and Vejabhai Akhiya from Bantwa.

The 15 wanted accused include Amin Chotaliya, Firoz Malaviya, Irfan Kalvatar, and Deepak Hemnani — who allegedly occupied the raided Bantwa premises — along with Vasubhai Sindhi, Pintubhai Sindhi, Mohina Sindhi, Aju Sindhi, Babubhai Sindhi, an unidentified fair price shop owner or dealer, and several others identified by name or alias.

Legal Charges Filed

Two separate offences have been registered at Bilkha and Bantwa police stations. The charges invoke Sections 3 and 7 of the Essential Commodities Act and Sections 3(5), 61(2), and 316(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. Police confirmed that further investigation is underway, with efforts to apprehend the remaining wanted accused.

The Bigger Picture

PDS diversion rackets are a persistent challenge across Indian states, depriving the most vulnerable households of subsidised staples they are legally entitled to. This action by the SMC signals a stepped-up surveillance posture under DGP Malik's instructions. With 15 accused still at large, the case is far from closed — and the involvement of fair price shop operators suggests the leakage may run deeper into the supply chain than the two raided premises indicate.