Kailash Rathi’s men will make sure that booze continues to flow in Ahmedabad

What if the liquor king of the state is arrested by the DCB? This question must have run through the minds of several booze lovers by now, and especially those who dealt directly with this man who, it is believed, had a share in every peg of liquor consumed in the state.

However, Kailash Rathi, the mastermind behind IMFL smuggling in the state, is likely to keep the booze flowing even from behind the bars. Sources told DNA that Rathi's men have geared up to ensure uninterrupted flow of IMFL in the state, even in his absence.

So far, Palanpur, Khedbrahma and Nadiad have been the three main centres where Rathi stocked the IMFL smuggled into Gujarat. "Once the trucks are unloaded at these locations, the IMFL is sent to wholesalers in smaller consignments," a source told DNA.

However, sources said that the bootlegger's loyal men have decided to now stock IMFL only at Nadiad, and not send it to Palanpur and Khedbrahma. It is hence expected that Nadiad will be the next epicentre for liquor smuggling in the state.

Wahid, a client of Rathi's and wanted in several bootlegging cases across the state, is believed to be the key person who'll take care of Rathi's 'empire' in his absence. He allegedly runs the IMFL business in Nadiad with the help of a partner.

Rathi has been running his empire with hundreds of people on pay-roll. His empire includes a business of around Rs25 lakh per day, earning him a net profit of around Rs10 to Rs12 lakh daily.

He is believed to be bringing in around five trucks loaded with IMFL every single day into the state.