Gujarat Police tighten noose on liquor ‘parties’

The police said these parties are increasingly becoming a way to bring in sex workers and consume liquor in the state where it is prohibited.

State Director General of Police S S Khandwawala said: “We have told the police heads across the state to maintain vigil in zones where farmhouses,clubs and hotels are located. We have asked the police to identify the places where such get-togethers are organised regularly.”

He added: “The dance and liquor parties are not tolerable,especially as such activities spoil the youngsters. As we stopped hookah bars completely,we also want to put a full stop on this ‘party’ culture.”

The police further said that such parties are becoming meeting points for sex workers. The youngsters attend these parties for liquor and fun,which often turn into an open violation of the Prohibition Act and Prevention of Immoral Trafficking Act.

In a recent raid at a farmhouse in Sanand,the Ahmedabad district police had busted a ‘rave party’ and arrested 29 persons including seven dance girls. Among those arrested was also an Indian Army colonel,who was later charged for misguiding the police by providing a fake identity during the raid.

Inspector,M M Zala of Sanand police said: “The prime accused,Narendrasinh Vaghela,had organised a ‘special’ party to celebrate an event at his home. His friend,Raju Thakore,arranged for the liquor and called bar girls from Mumbai. Many liquor bottles were seized and during the raid,the accused were found dancing with the bar girls in dingy rooms.”

Last month,in a raid led by Kalol DSP Usha Rada at the farm house of a Gandhinagar-based BJP leader,seven people,including the politician himself,were arrested.

In this incident also,the BJP leader,Prabhatsinh Thakore,had invited his builder friends for a liquor and dance party where girls were called from Kolkata and Mumbai.