Illegal-liqour barons have police backing

The escalating death toll in the hooch tragedy in Ahmedabad has brought to the fore the nefarious activities of the police, believed to be working hand in glove with the bootleggers.

A source said that most breweries operating in various parts of the city were run under the patronage of the police, and involved in the same are police officials of the rank of constable as well as inspector.

The source further said that the hooch business in Ahmedabad was worth more than Rs1,000 crore, and that in certain areas liquor was served by women.

The liquor dens, aplenty in eastern parts of the city where country liquor is either manufactured or smuggled from outside, are popularly known as ‘Desi Stands’.

The source further said that once the booze is seized, the police usually do not register a case against smugglers who transport it from rural to urban areas. They, in fact, sell it to local bootleggers and also receive a bribe on a monthly basis.

Raju Chandrasinh, who runs a liquor den at Adinathnagar area, half a kilometre away from Odhav police station, runs his business by giving a share of his profit to the police.

Similarly, Vipin who operates liquor den at Nikol Vehra, also pays to the Odhav police.

The source also said that some police personnel are running hooch dens by employing other people. For instance, Jayesh Srimali, a government employee, has been supplyin and selling liquor for a long time. Similarly, Kanta Dosi, a woman bootlegger, operates her business at Mukeshnagar.