In a significant crackdown on illegal constructions linked to crime syndicates, the Gujarat State Monitoring Cell (SMC), in coordination with Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) and local police, demolished multiple illegal properties of bootleggers and gamblers across the city. The demolition drive was conducted in the Shahibaug, Sardarnagar, Dariyapur and Sarkhej areas of Ahmedabad.
Among those targeted was Savan Didawala (alias Chhara), a notorious bootlegger. Didawala had allegedly constructed a two-storey illegal bungalow in the Chharanagar area (Sardarnagar) and a three-storey illegal building, along with a sheet-covered shop, in Saijpur Bogha Mahajaniya Vas. The SMC team demolished both structures as part of the operation.
The illegal construction owned by Govind alias Gamo Patel, an infamous gambler, was also demolished. Patel had illegally constructed a third floor at the Manpasand Gymkhana in Dariapur, which was razed to the ground.
The operation was personally supervised by SMC senior officials, who were present on-site to oversee the proceedings. The civic teams worked with precision, ensuring no untoward incident took place as the illegal structures were brought down.
According to officials, this is part of a larger drive where SMC has identified 16 properties linked to individuals involved in bootlegging and gambling cases. All illegal constructions belonging to these accused will be demolished within 72 hours.
An SMC official stated, “The drive sends a strong message that illegal constructions, especially those linked to criminal activities, will not be tolerated. Action will continue against such elements without any discrimination.”
The operation marks a significant move by the authorities to clamp down on the nexus between crime and illegal property expansion in the city. Further actions are expected in the coming days.