That the gangsters had conducted at least 30 rehearsals before kidnapping chairman of Adani Exports Gautam Adani, leaves little to comment on the efficiency and alertness of Gujarat police.

Adani's case was, however, not the last chance for the police to learn a lesson from. They needed some still more which were also quick to follow. For example, the alleged kidnapping for a fat ransom of some doctors and owner of a Quartz clock manufacturing firm in the beginning of this year established that inter-state gangs were focussing on Gujarat businessmen.

Since these incidents were not reported to the police officially, they rule out all such incidents. But when an Ahmedabad-based steel and chemicals magnate received a threat call for ransom on February 18, the police had to accept the grim reality.

That businessman was provided police protection after he received the threatening call. But how effective this protection was? The callers not only chased his car even when he was escorted by an inspector, but also tried to accost him. Though the inspector later alerted the local police and an alarm was sounded in five districts, the police are still groping in the dark.

Additional chief secretary (Home) V V R Subbarao said that police actions were not visible in such cases because "we do not want to create panic among people by publicising such alerts or who is given police protection." But Home Minister Haren Pandya was not available for comment.

Inter-state gangs have set up base in Gujarat with modern facilities. Sources said these gangs have good political contacts which ensure safe hideouts, cellular phones, vehicles etc which facilitates collection of most intimate details of their targets before hand.

"Last year during the Holi, Fazal-ul-Rehman alias Fazlu, a close aide of Irfan Goga stayed in Ahmedabad for three days but the police could not even get a whiff of his presence," disclosed a senior officer. Gujarat police failed to even trace out any clue in this regard, he added.

Hailing from Darbhanga (Bihar), Fazlu is an associate of Chhota Rajan and is wanted by police in five states, including Gujarat, in connection with extortion bids and other crimes.