Liquor worth over Rs 42 cr seized along Gujarat borders in two years, govt informs assembly
Ahmedabad (PTI): Liquor worth more than Rs 42 crore was seized from checkposts along Gujarat's borders with Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan in the past two years, the state government informed the assembly on Monday.
Gujarat is a dry state where prohibition is in force.
Replying to a question by Congress MLA Imran Khedawala, Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, who handles the Home portfolio, said 10,49,855 bottles of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) worth Rs 38.89 crore and 1,59,265 bottles of beer worth Rs 3.33 crore were seized in a two-year period ending January 25.
The seizures were made at checkposts located along the borders with Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, which are often used for smuggling liquor into Gujarat, Sanghavi said in his written reply, adding that 1,018 accused persons have been arrested so far and 141 are absconding.
Replying to a question raised by AAP MLA Gopal Italia, Sanghavi said more than 32,000 of cases have been registered against people found consuming liquor without permit in Ahmedabad and Vadodara districts over the past two years.
According to the data shared in the Assembly, 17,311 cases were registered against persons found consuming liquor without permit in Ahmedabad district, while 15,154 such cases were recorded in Vadodara district as of December 31, 2025.
The minister said the police have also taken various preventive measures against those supplying liquor to such consumers. These include increased patrolling in areas where people are repeatedly found consuming liquor, as well as prohibition drives conducted at the city, district and state levels.
Sanghavi said individuals frequently involved in illegal liquor activities are declared as "listed bootleggers", after which periodic raids are carried out against them.
If such persons continue to indulge in prohibition-related offences, strict measures such as cases under prohibition provisions, externment and action under Prevention of Anti-Social Activities (PASA) Act are initiated against them, he added.
Separate cases are also registered against those found supplying or manufacturing liquor illegally, Sanghavi told the assembly.
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Surjewala slams Pratap Simha’s ‘vile’ remarks on CM Siddaramaiah, demands apology from BJP
Bengaluru (PTI): Congress general secretary and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the BJP over alleged disparaging remarks made by former Mysuru-Kodagu MP Pratap Simha against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah during an assembly bypoll campaign in Bagalkote.
Simha made the remarks while campaigning for BJP candidate Veerabhadrayya Charantimath, triggering a political row ahead of the by-elections scheduled for April 9.
Congress has fielded Umesh Meti, son of former MLA late M Y Meti, whose death necessitated the bye-election.
"Pratap Simha's vile remarks about Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in Bagalkot have exposed the BJP's despicable politics once again," Surjewala said in a social media post.
Alleging a larger political design, he added, "It is increasingly evident that Pratap Simha’s outburst is driven by desperation," and accused the BJP of using such remarks to target backward classes, Scheduled Castes, and minorities.
The Rajya Sabha member further claimed that the incident reflects a pattern within the party. "This is not one man's madness—it is the BJP’s political culture," he said, adding that the remarks were aimed at "denigrating leaders from marginalised communities".
Referring to past incidents, Surjewala said, "CM Siddaramaiah and his deputy D K Shivakumar have received death threats in the past, including one from BJP leaders who warned that their bodies would be stuffed into a refrigerator."
The Congress leader also criticised the BJP’s bypoll campaign strategy, alleging "internal contradictions".
He pointed to the party’s use of expelled MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal in campaigning despite earlier disciplinary action against him, accusing the BJP of resorting to "abuses and indignities" against opposition leaders.
Surjewala demanded immediate action from the BJP leadership, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP national president Nitin Nabin, state president B Y Vijayendra, and Leader of Opposition R Ashoka.
He said they must tender a public apology to Kannadigas, particularly to OBCs, SCs, and minorities, over the remarks, and urged the party to expel Simha if it does not repudiate his statements.
Surjewala also called for legal action, demanding that an FIR be registered against Simha and that strict measures be taken.
Warning of "political consequences", he said the electorate in the bypoll-bound constituencies would respond decisively if the BJP failed to apologise, asserting that voters would "teach the BJP a befitting lesson" in the elections.
There has been no immediate reaction from the saffron party yet.
