Ahmedabad, Aug 24 — The Ahmedabad City Police registered 436 prohibition cases and arrested 476 people during a special four-day drive against illegal liquor activities, as the crackdown comes amid the death of 13 people in the spurious liquor tragedy in neighbouring Bhavnagar district.
The special drive was conducted from August 18 to 21 on the directions of Director General of Police (DGP) G S Malik to curb illegal liquor-related activities across the state.
Ahmedabad Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gahlaut said teams from police stations across the city and the Crime Branch took part in the operation.
"Of the 436 cases registered, 73 involved foreign liquor, including three cases classified as serious. Police seized 11,479 bottles of foreign liquor and beer valued at Rs 29.93 lakh. The total value of the seized property in these cases was Rs 80.56 lakh," he said.
Police also registered 336 cases involving country-made liquor and seized 3,693 litres valued at Rs 7.38 lakh. The total value of the property seized in these cases was Rs 8.43 lakh.
Seven people allegedly involved in prohibition-related activities were also booked under the Prevention of Anti-Social Activities (PASA) Act and sent to jail.
Among the cases classified as serious, Sola Police seized 2,762 bottles of foreign liquor and beer worth Rs 5.05 lakh and a four-wheeler worth Rs 4.5 lakh. Four people were booked in the case.
Sabarmati Police seized 1,740 bottles valued at Rs three lakh and cash, with one person booked. Naroda Police seized 3,840 bottles worth Rs 12.61 lakh, a four-wheeler vehicle valued at Rs 10 lakh, mobile phones and cash, and booked four people.
The action comes as authorities continue to investigate the Bhavnagar spurious liquor tragedy, in which the death toll had risen to 13 by August 23.
Two more victims, Mukesh Damor, 36, and Bhargav Upadhyay, 42, died during treatment, according to district officials. Three people were still undergoing treatment at that stage.
The Bhavnagar case has been linked to liquor containing toxic methanol. Police have said the liquor was prepared using methanol and distributed after being packaged in bottles made to resemble a popular 'Royal Stag' brand.
Police have registered an FIR naming 21 accused in the Bhavnagar case, with 27 arrested as part of the investigation.
Investigators have been examining the alleged supply of raw material from Madhya Pradesh and neighbouring states along with the manufacture and distribution of the spurious liquor in Bhavnagar and nearby villages.
Gahlaut said the operation was not restricted to the four days and would continue. “This drive is not limited to just three days; it is a continuous operation,” he said, adding that police action covered people found in possession of liquor, those consuming alcohol and those driving after drinking.
He said Ahmedabad Police had also intensified action under PASA against anti-social elements. According to the Commissioner, around 41 people had been booked under PASA in the preceding 10 days.
This included nine people involved in offences against the human body, around 14 accused in theft and purse-snatching cases, and 18 bootleggers. The latter were sent to jails including Bhuj, Surat and Rajkot Central Jail.
Police stations are also preparing lists of people who may fall within the scope of the PASA Act, based on their involvement in multiple offences or offences that qualify for preventive detention under the law.