Liquor worth ₹42 crore seized in Gujarat over the past two years

The Gujarat government on Monday informed the state Assembly that liquor valued at more than ₹42 crore has been seized from checkposts along its borders with Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan over the past two years.

Replying to a question raised by Congress MLA Imran Khedawala, Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi said authorities confiscated 10,49,855 bottles of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) worth ₹38.89 crore and 1,59,265 bottles of beer valued at ₹3.33 crore during the two-year period ending January 25.

Gujarat remains a dry state where prohibition laws are in force.

In his written reply, Mr. Sanghavi, who also holds the Home portfolio, said the seizures were made at checkposts along the borders with Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, which are often used for smuggling liquor into the state. He said 1,018 accused persons have been arrested so far, while 141 are absconding.

Responding to another question by AAP MLA Gopal Italia, the minister said more than 32,000 cases have been registered in the past two years against individuals found consuming liquor without a permit in the districts of Ahmedabad and Vadodara.

According to data presented in the Assembly, 17,311 such cases were registered in Ahmedabad district, while 15,154 cases were recorded in Vadodara district as of December 31, 2025.

Mr. Sanghavi said the police have taken several preventive measures against those supplying liquor, including increased patrolling in areas where people are repeatedly found consuming alcohol and conducting prohibition drives at the city, district and state levels.

He added that individuals frequently involved in illegal liquor activities are declared “listed bootleggers”, following which periodic raids are carried out against them.

If such persons continue to indulge in prohibition-related offences, strict action such as cases under prohibition provisions, externment and proceedings under the Prevention of Anti-Social Activities Act (PASA) are initiated, the Minister said.

Separate cases are also registered against those found supplying or manufacturing liquor illegally, Mr. Sanghavi told the Assembly.