Liquor smuggling: Gujarat cops suspect excise men’s hand

GANDHINAGAR - Seven Central Excise officials posted in the union territory of Diu were allegedly involved in smuggling liquor into Gujarat, the only dry state in the country, a police official said here Friday.

Police, both in south Gujarat which borders the union territory of Daman, Dadra and Nagar Haveli as well as in Junagadh district of Saurashtra region which borders Diu, have tightened the screws against liquor trafficking into the state.

Consumption or possession of liquor without a valid permit is a non-bailable offence in Gujarat, where prohibition laws have been in force since the state’s inception May 1, 1960.

Earlier this week, the Junagadh police arrested five Diu-based bar owners on the basis of the interrogation of arrested bootleggers.

The bar owners, who are allowed to serve liquor within their premises in the union territory, however, cannot sell it outside. Their interrogation led police to the alleged involvement of the Central Excise officials in liquor smuggling.

Junagadh Superintendent of Police M.S.Pawar said that the statements of the bar owners implicated the excise officials, but since they are central government employees, a show cause notice will be first issued to them. Subsequent action will depend on their replies, he added.