Quaffing even a pint of liquor in Gujarat is like tasting a forbidden apple. It’s another matter that Gujarat’s alcohol prohibition laws since 1960 remained only on paper. Bootleggers continued to be active in the state, operating their network surreptitiously. That they functioned like food delivery agents was an open secret.
In the past, the police in the state would file cases against those caught consuming liquor. Now, the liquor prohibition laws have become even tighter. In what is deemed as more heartbreaks for tipplers and dipsomaniacs, the police have started filing cases even against those queuing up to buy alcohol.
According to a report, the State Monitoring Cell (SMC) raided a liquor den in Satyamnagar locality in the jurisdiction of Amraiwadi police and arrested three men, including the lynchpin of a bootlegging racket.
While the raid was underway, the cops encountered three men who had gone there to buy alcohol. The police arrested them under the prohibition act. The report added that similar cases were filed in Vadaj and Nadiad this month.
So, how can someone not caught with liquor possession be arrested? The SMC, the report claims, started this practice in October 2022 when they caught around 40 customers who had gathered to buy alcohol in Surat.
The deputy SP of SMC, K T Kamaria was quoted as saying that even if someone was found anywhere near a liquor den, he can be charged under Sections 68 and 81 of the prohibition acts.
Section 68 is applicable when a common drinking house is used to consume liquor or conduct alcohol sales. Section 81 of the prohibition act reads: “Whoever attempts to commit or abets the commission of an offence under this (prohibition) act shall, on conviction, be punished for such attempt or abetment with the same punishment as is provided for the principal offence.”
For many, the Satanic bait of alcohol is hard to resist anyway. Now, imagine their plight at not even being able to gather near a liquor store.
Also Read: ‘Realty’ Check: Rameshwar Residents Cry Foul After Building Collapse
