Gujarat Police seize ₹48.35 lakh IMFL in Kutch prohibition raid, 2 arrested
Synopsis
Gujarat's prohibition enforcement is zeroing in on an interstate smuggling corridor: the latest Kutch raid netted 13,500 bottles of IMFL worth ₹48.35 lakh, with the accused trail leading back to Rajasthan's Barmer and Sanchore districts — the same geography that has appeared in multiple SMC busts this year.
Key Takeaways
Gujarat Police's SMC seized 13,500 bottles of IMFL and beer worth ₹48,35,736 in a raid at Gagodar village, Kutch on 26 July 2025 .
Total confiscated property — including vehicles — valued at ₹78,57,666 .
Two men arrested: Shravankumar Meghwal and Chenaram Jat , both from Rajasthan's Barmer district .
Three accused remain wanted, including alleged dispatcher Narayan Jat of Sanchore district, Rajasthan .
Case registered under the Gujarat Prohibition Act and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 .
The SMC has conducted multiple major seizures in June–July 2025 , including hauls of over ₹1.51 crore and ₹1.49 crore in separate Rajkot and Vadodara-Ahmedabad Expressway operations.
The Gujarat Police's State Monitoring Cell (SMC) seized Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) and beer worth over ₹48.35 lakh during a prohibition enforcement raid in Kutch district on 26 July 2025, with the total value of confiscated property — including vehicles and other articles — reaching ₹78.57 lakh, officials said on Monday. Two men were arrested at the scene, while three others remain wanted.
What Was Seized
Police recovered approximately 500 cartons of IMFL and beer containing 13,500 bottles, valued at ₹48,35,736. The haul was found at the parking area of Jai Goga Rajasthani Hotel in Gagodar village, Rapar taluka, under the jurisdiction of Gagodar Police Station in East Kutch-Gandhidham district. Including seized vehicles and other property, total confiscation stood at ₹78,57,666.
How the Operation Unfolded
The raid was conducted under the directions of Director General of Police (DGP) G.S. Malik as part of a sustained statewide crackdown on illegal liquor and gambling. It was led on the ground by Police Sub-Inspector K.D. Raviya, who searched the hotel's parking area and intercepted the consignment.
Two men were arrested at the scene: Shravankumar Meghwal, a resident of Jesar in Rajasthan's Barmer district, who was allegedly driving the vehicle, and Chenaram Jat, from Netarad village in the same district, who was working as the cleaner.
Three Accused Still Wanted
Police have named three wanted accused in the case. Narayan Jat of Bediya village in Rajasthan's Sanchore district is alleged to have dispatched the liquor consignment. The remaining two wanted persons are identified as the alleged recipient of the consignment and the owner of the truck used for transportation.
A case has been registered at Gagodar Police Station under Sections 65(A)(E), 81, 83, 98(2) and 116(B) of the Gujarat Prohibition Act, along with Sections 336(2), 336(3) and 340(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
Pattern of Enforcement
This seizure is part of a broader enforcement pattern by the SMC. Earlier in July, the cell seized liquor worth approximately ₹18.6 lakh in separate raids in Banaskantha and Kheda districts, with total property seized exceeding ₹20.9 lakh in one of those operations. In June, the SMC intercepted a truck near Rajkot and seized IMFL worth more than ₹1.51 crore, while a separate operation on the Vadodara-Ahmedabad Expressway yielded a seizure valued at over ₹1.49 crore.
The recurring Rajasthan connection in multiple cases points to an established interstate smuggling corridor that authorities are actively targeting. With three accused still at large, investigators are expected to pursue the supply chain further.
Point of View
Not opportunistic smuggling. Gujarat's prohibition regime creates a persistent price arbitrage that traffickers will continue to exploit as long as neighbouring states remain unrestricted. The SMC's enforcement numbers are impressive on paper, but the revolving door of new consignments suggests interdiction alone is insufficient without dismantling the distribution networks at source. The three wanted accused — particularly the alleged consignment owner and truck operator — are the pressure points investigators must crack.
NationPress
27 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Gujarat Police seize in the Kutch liquor raid?
Police seized approximately 500 cartons containing 13,500 bottles of IMFL and beer valued at ₹48,35,736. Including vehicles and other confiscated articles, the total property seized was worth ₹78,57,666.
Who was arrested in the Gagodar liquor bust?
Two men were arrested: Shravankumar Meghwal, allegedly the driver, and Chenaram Jat, the cleaner, both residents of Rajasthan's Barmer district. Three others — including the alleged dispatcher Narayan Jat of Sanchore district — remain wanted.
Under which laws was the case registered?
The case was registered at Gagodar Police Station under Sections 65(A)(E), 81, 83, 98(2) and 116(B) of the Gujarat Prohibition Act, and Sections 336(2), 336(3) and 340(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
What is the Gujarat State Monitoring Cell and what has it done recently?
The State Monitoring Cell (SMC) is a Gujarat Police unit tasked with enforcing prohibition and anti-gambling laws statewide. In June–July 2025, it has conducted multiple major operations, including seizures worth over ₹1.51 crore near Rajkot and ₹1.49 crore on the Vadodara-Ahmedabad Expressway.
Why does Gujarat have a liquor prohibition?
Gujarat has enforced total prohibition since 1960 under the Gujarat Prohibition Act, making it one of the few Indian states where alcohol is banned for residents. The policy creates a significant price differential with neighbouring states, which enforcement agencies say drives organised smuggling.
