Gujarat teacher sends Class 7 student to buy liquor in school hours, arrested

Una,UPDATED: Jul 10, 2026 20:58 IST

A primary school teacher in Gujarat's Gir Somnath district has been suspended and arrested for allegedly sending a student to buy liquor during school hours, state Education Minister said on Friday. The incident was reported from Khapat village in Una taluka, and police said it took place on June 20 at around 8 am.

The Primary, Secondary and Adult Education Minister, Pradyuman Vaja, said the matter was treated with seriousness and action was taken immediately. Manufacturing, sale and consumption of liquor are prohibited in Gujarat. The teacher is now under investigation, and a three-member inquiry committee has been formed to look into the incident.

In a video message, the minister said, "An incident was reported in Khapat in Una of Gir Somnath district, where a teacher sent a student to purchase liquor." He added, "Treating the matter with utmost seriousness, I directed immediate suspension of the concerned teacher, following which the District Development Officer suspended him without delay."

The school principal lodged a complaint on Friday, on the basis of which an FIR was registered against the teacher and he was arrested by Una police, Vaja said. The accused, Hareshgiri Gulabgiri Goswami, taught students of Classes 6 to 8.

According to the FIR, Goswami allegedly lured a Class 7 student with Rs 20 and gave him Rs 500 to bring a bottle of liquor. The school principal later informed the taluka primary education officer about the incident.

An official release said the inquiry committee includes the deputy district development officer of Gir Somnath, the taluka primary education officer of Veraval and the taluka development officer of Gir Gadhada. The case centres on allegations that a teacher at Khapat Primary School sent a student to buy liquor, following which he was suspended, arrested and placed under investigation.

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