Did Gujarat Police Uncover a Major Liquor Party Near Ahmedabad?

Ahmedabad, July 21 (NationPress) A late-night police operation carried out at Glade One Resort, situated near Sanand in the Ahmedabad district of Gujarat, revealed a lavish liquor party reportedly held in honor of real estate tycoon Pratik Sanghvi, as indicated by police on Monday.

Responding to a tip-off, authorities discovered approximately 100 individuals attending the gathering, leading to the detention of around 42 attendees, who were found to be intoxicated.

Among those apprehended were individuals hailing from prominent areas as well as several out-of-state visitors. The list of those detained includes Jimit Jayeshbhai Sheth and Harsh Jayeshbhai Sheth from Sargasan, Gandhinagar; Bhavesh Ramanresh Kathiriya from Ramol, Ahmedabad; Pratik Suresh Jat from Nashik, Maharashtra; Kushal Kiritbhai Prajapati from Odhav village; Deep Chandrakantbhai Vadodariya from Nawavadi, Ahmedabad; Rajan Gopalbhai Soni from Navi Mumbai; Ronit Rajeshbhai Panchal from New Ranip; Noman Mukhtar Sheikh from Sarkhej; Jay Piyushbhai Vyas, also from Sargasan; Mahavirsingh Vikramsingh Solanki from Odhav; and Yash Dhanshyambhai Jat Sen from Bapunagar.

The police issued notices to 26 young women and subsequently released them, while the remaining participants were taken for medical evaluations.

This operation, which continued until late Sunday night, was executed in accordance with Gujarat's stringent prohibition laws, and formal charges are anticipated in the upcoming days. The investigation is ongoing.

Gujarat operates as a dry state under the Gujarat Prohibition Act, 1949, which prohibits the sale, purchase, and consumption of alcohol without an appropriate liquor permit.

While residents can acquire permits for health-related reasons, tourists and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) can obtain temporary permits to legally purchase and consume alcohol at licensed hotels and government-approved outlets.

Breaking this law—by consuming, possessing, or distributing alcohol without permission—can result in imprisonment for up to six months, significant fines, or more severe penalties in cases involving bootlegging or counterfeit liquor.

Despite rigorous enforcement and frequent police crackdowns, particularly at private gatherings and resorts, illegal alcohol consumption remains prevalent in various regions of the state.

Gujarat's strict prohibition regulations are matched with vigorous enforcement, resulting in substantial liquor confiscations in recent years. In 2024, authorities seized nearly 82 lakh bottles of Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL) valued at Rs 144 crore—an average of one bottle seized every four seconds—across major areas like Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat, Navsari, and Bhavnagar.

Meanwhile, the State Monitoring Cell alone recorded 455 cases, confiscating liquor worth Rs 22.52 crore during that year, with Ahmedabad contributing Rs 61 lakh to that total.

In legislative developments, a significant amendment in August 2024 empowered authorities to confiscate and auction vehicles involved in liquor smuggling—prior to court rulings. However, provisions exist for compensation with interest if the accused are eventually acquitted.

Recent localized busts highlight both the magnitude and sophistication of liquor smuggling activities.

Noteworthy seizures include 349 bottles and 48 beer cans valued at Rs 3.39 lakh in Ahmedabad; over 30 lakh bottles of IMFL and 2 lakh litres of country liquor confiscated statewide; and a seizure worth Rs 41.13 lakh from a truck concealing liquor beneath rice sacks in Chhota Udepur.

In a surprising incident from Aravalli district, a suspended police constable was discovered with 1,069 liquor bottles, valued at Rs 1.76 lakh.