In a major crackdown ahead of the annual Rathyatra, the Local Crime Branch (LCB) of Ahmedabad Zone-2 arrested five women late Thursday night for illegally transporting 442 bottles and cans of Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL) worth ₹45,555. The seizure took place near Pillar No. 395, at the end of the Ranip Metro Line.
According to a media report, Acting on a tip-off received around 11:05 pm on June 19, a team of LCB officers along with female personnel from Ranip police station set up a trap near the Prabodh Raval Bridge.
The five women — identified as Babyben Anilbhai Chunara (51), Ashaben Maheshbhai Chunara (49), Manjuben Jhaverbhai Chunara (45), Roshniben Vikasbhai Chunara (24), and Mariabanu Mohsin Mansuri (30) — were found in a public area carrying large cloth bags. A search revealed the following liquor items:
108 bottles of whisky
249 bottles of vodka
85 cans of beer
Preliminary investigation revealed that the liquor was smuggled in from Rajasthan. The women confessed to buying it from a shop there, traveling by government bus, and getting off near the RTO Circle in Ahmedabad before being caught.
All five were arrested on the spot under various sections of the Gujarat Prohibition Act. No additional contraband was found during body searches conducted by female officers. The women failed to provide any valid permits or a convincing reason for carrying such a large quantity of alcohol.