Social Media Does the Patrol: Ahmedabad Cops Handcuff Auto-Bootlegger Only After Viral Video Forces Action

It took a viral social media video—and the resulting public embarrassment—for the Navrangpura police to finally crack down on an illegal liquor trade operating in broad daylight at one of the city’s busiest intersections.

Despite regular patrols and a heavy police presence in the prominent commercial hub of Navrangpura, a bootlegger openly sold liquor from an autorickshaw near Liberty Crossroads for days without attracting any local law enforcement action. Police only moved to arrest the suspect after footage of the blatant violation began circulating widely online, triggering intense public criticism of police negligence.

Arrested, But Only Under Social Media Pressure

Following the heavy online backlash, senior police officials intervened, prompting local officers to quickly identify and arrest 33-year-old Pratapbhai Gopalbhai Soni.

Police seized the autorickshaw and a stash of liquor bottles, registering a case under the Gujarat Prohibition Act. However, locals point out that the swift arrest only highlights how easily the crime could have been stopped earlier if routine policing had been active.

The Core Question: If a citizen could spot and record illegal liquor sales from a parked auto on a busy street, how did it go unnoticed by the local beat patrol for days?

Public Backlash Over "Reactionary" Policing

The incident has sparked a heated debate among Ahmedabad residents over the reactionary nature of local policing.

• No Proactive Vigilance: Critics point out that the busy Liberty Crossroads area witnesses heavy traffic and regular police presence, making it nearly impossible for a bootlegger to set up shop undetected without a severe lapse in police vigilance.
• The "Senior Intervention" Factor: Sources confirm that local police only initiated action after senior officials saw the viral clip and demanded immediate accountability.

This delayed response has drawn sharp criticism from residents, who argue that law enforcement should protect the dry state’s laws through proactive patrolling rather than waiting for viral videos to force their hand.