Temple Land Used To Cultivate Cannabis in Gujarat, Woman Priest Held
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
A CID Crime operation in Gujarat's Gir Somnath district has uncovered an alleged cannabis cultivation site inside the premises of a temple, leading to the arrest of a woman serving as the temple's mahant. Investigators seized over 8 kg of cannabis plants during the raid and have launched a wider probe into the source and intended use of the contraband.
Tip-off leads CID Crime to temple premises
The operation was carried out after the Junagadh unit of CID Crime received intelligence about suspected cannabis cultivation near a temple on Chanchakvad Road in Una. Acting on the information, a team conducted a raid and discovered cannabis plants allegedly growing within the temple compound.
Officials said the plants were found among coconut trees on the property. Along with the standing crop, police also seized related material, with the total value of the recovery estimated at over ₹4.41 lakh.
Female mahant arrested under NDPS Act
The temple's mahant, identified as Gangadasji Avedhdasji, was taken into custody following the seizure. According to investigators, the accused allegedly told officials that the plants had been cultivated around four to five months earlier for visiting sadhus.
Based on a complaint filed by CID Crime, Una police registered a case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Further investigation is underway.
Fresh questions over local enforcement
The case has also raised questions over how cannabis cultivation allegedly continued for several months without being detected by local enforcement agencies. The seizure has renewed scrutiny of surveillance in the Una-Gir Gadhada region, where multiple cannabis-related cases have been reported in recent months.
Pattern of seizures in the region
The latest recovery adds to a series of narcotics cases reported from the Una-Gir Gadhada belt.
Police had earlier seized cannabis from villages including Gir Gadhada, Jargali and Nathal, prompting authorities to examine whether the incidents are isolated or part of a larger cultivation and supply network operating in the region.
