38 booked in Rajkot birthday party raid; 11 liquor bottles seized under Gujarat Prohibition Act
Synopsis
A tip-off led Rajkot's Local Crime Branch to raid a hotel birthday party on Kalawad Road, where breathalyser and blood tests of 98 attendees resulted in 38 bookings under Gujarat's decades-old prohibition law. Eleven IMFL bottles were seized, and the hotel's licence and CCTV footage are now under scrutiny.
Key Takeaways
38 people — 35 male guests and 3 hotel employees — booked under the Gujarat Prohibition Act after a raid on Saturday night .
The party was hosted by Chirag Patel at a hotel on Kalawad Road, Rajkot .
98 people had blood samples collected at Rajkot Civil Hospital ; an FIR was filed against those who tested positive.
11 bottles of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) — some empty, some containing liquor — were seized during the raid.
Around 30 women were present but none tested positive for alcohol consumption.
The hotel's licence, CCTV footage and previous records are under examination; the role of hotel management is being investigated.
Thirty-eight people — including 35 guests and three hotel employees — have been booked under the Gujarat Prohibition Act after police raided a birthday party at a hotel on Kalawad Road in Rajkot, where liquor was allegedly being consumed, officials confirmed on Sunday, 2 November. Police seized 11 bottles of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) during the operation.
How the Raid Unfolded
The Local Crime Branch (LCB) conducted the raid on Saturday night following a tip-off, officials said. The party was organised by Chirag Patel to celebrate his birthday at the hotel. Acting on the intelligence, LCB personnel moved in during the event and carried out breathalyser tests on all those present at the venue.
Authorities subsequently collected blood samples of 98 people — comprising guests and hotel staff — at the Rajkot Civil Hospital for confirmatory testing. An FIR was registered against 38 individuals after the results.
What Police Found and Seized
'Those who tested positive for alcohol consumption in the on-the-spot breathalyser tests were booked under the Gujarat Prohibition Act. Around 30 women were also present at the party, but none tested positive for alcohol consumption,' said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 2) Rakesh Desai.
Police seized 11 empty and filled 750 ml bottles of IMFL belonging to different brands. 'No other intoxicating substances were found. Most of those attending the party were residents of Rajkot and neighbouring Morbi,' Desai added. Of those booked, all 35 male guests who attended the party tested positive, along with three hotel employees.
Hotel Under Scrutiny
Investigators are now examining the role of the hotel management and others associated with the event. Officials said the hotel's licence, previous records, and CCTV footage are being reviewed as part of the ongoing probe. The outcome of this examination could determine whether the hotel faces further action beyond the individuals already booked.
Gujarat's Strict Prohibition Backdrop
Gujarat has maintained prohibition since its formation as a state, with a blanket ban on the manufacture, storage, sale, and consumption of alcoholic beverages. Despite the law, enforcement agencies periodically conduct raids — particularly in urban centres — following intelligence about private gatherings where liquor is allegedly consumed. This case underscores the continuing challenge authorities face in enforcing the decades-old prohibition regime in social settings.
The investigation remains ongoing, and further arrests or charges against hotel management cannot be ruled out as police complete their review of surveillance footage and licensing records.
Point of View
Since targeting individuals at parties does little to deter the supply chain that made those 11 bottles available in a dry state. Rajkot's proximity to Morbi and the presence of attendees from both districts suggests these networks are geographically distributed. Without action against the supply side, enforcement stays reactive rather than structural.
NationPress
2 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were 38 people booked at a birthday party in Rajkot?
They were booked under the Gujarat Prohibition Act after police breathalyser and blood tests confirmed they had consumed alcohol at a birthday party in a hotel on Kalawad Road, Rajkot. Gujarat bans the manufacture, storage, sale, and consumption of alcohol, making consumption itself an offence.
Who organised the party that was raided?
The party was organised by Chirag Patel to celebrate his birthday at the hotel on Kalawad Road in Rajkot. Most attendees were reportedly residents of Rajkot and neighbouring Morbi.
What did police seize during the Rajkot hotel raid?
Police seized 11 bottles — some empty and some containing liquor — of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) of different brands. No other intoxicating substances were found at the venue.
Were all party attendees booked?
No. Of the 98 people who had blood samples collected, 38 were booked — 35 male guests who tested positive and 3 hotel employees. Around 30 women present at the party did not test positive for alcohol consumption and were not booked.
What action is being taken against the hotel?
Police are examining the hotel's licence, previous records, and CCTV footage as part of the investigation. The role of hotel management and others associated with the event is also under scrutiny, and further charges cannot be ruled out.
