Gujarat DGP announced bounty on 10 bootleggers a year ago, but no trace of them

After revelations of collusion between Gujarat State Monitoring Cell (SMC) Head Constable Sajan Ahir and bootlegger Anil Pandit, whispers about the nexus between bootleggers, Gujarat Police, the prohibition machinery, and some corrupt government officials have gained momentum. 

Sources reveal that although the state and its agencies boast about seizing liquor worth ₹300 crore annually, illicit liquor worth nearly ₹3,000 crore floods the state unchecked. Shockingly, despite a government-announced bounty on top bootleggers in 2024, they remain at large.

Inaction against responsible senior officers

The arrest of an SMC head constable near Vadodara for his alleged involvement in liquor smuggling has stirred further controversy. Previous incidents include the death of a PSI from the same cell in an accident involving a bootlegger’s car in Surendranagar and a collision involving bootleggers and police near Bopal on Ahmedabad’s SP Ring Road. 

Such incidents, spanning the past three years, suggest bootleggers have grown so emboldened that they openly challenge the SMC. Information from within the police fraternity suggests that bootleggers push ₹3,000 crore worth of illegal liquor into Gujarat annually, compared to just ₹300 crore worth being seized.

Over a year ago in 2024, the SMC under the DGP declared rewards ranging from ₹20,000 to ₹1 lakh for information leading to the arrest of 10 top bootleggers. Yet, none have been caught. Those that have been arrested continue to operate their liquor empires from inside jail, from other states, or even from abroad—seamlessly.

Decades-long operations and shielded networks

Within the police force, experts believe that each bootlegger has a ‘decade’, a well-established term referring to their uninterrupted operation until media attention or violence forces the system to act. By then, they are declared absconders, and rewards are announced. Often, only low-ranking police personnel are nabbed, while supervisory officers face little or no disciplinary action, despite their alleged complicity in liquor syndicates.

Who was Nagdan Gadhvi?

One infamous case was of Nagdan Gadhvi from Saurashtra, who became a household name in bootlegging. He was caught, and 20 of his bank accounts were frozen, revealing ₹9 crore in transactions. As per reports, he died in police custody.

Other prominent bootleggers include Vinod Sindhi, Devendra alias Bansi, Pintoo alias Gorakh (Maharashtra to Central Gujarat network), Alkesh (from MP), Shailesh Kothari (Rajasthan to Shamlaji), Sawan (Ahmedabad), Bishnoi Gang (Rajasthan), Ashu alias Ashish Agrawal and the Rabari Gang (Banaskantha), Bharat Dangi and Ashish Kothari (Sabarkantha), Shakaji, Sunil Darji, and Vishwas—all of whom once dominated the bootlegging scene but are now either defunct or underground.

Threats to police personnel

Frequent transfers are common. Even minor controversies lead to constables being replaced every six months. Similarly, PSIs and PIs are transferred if an SMC raid occurs in their jurisdiction. But supervisory officers, some of whom are believed to protect these bootleggers, continue untouched. These bootleggers run their local networks through civilians—informally recruited operatives.

Earlier, bootleggers wouldn’t dare attack police. But now, gangs from Rajasthan and other states have become violent, raising serious safety concerns for officers and constables.

Why are bootleggers fearless?

The bootlegging network, worth ₹3,000 crore annually, seems to be operating without fear of the law. Even when charges are filed under GUJCTOC (Gujarat Control of Terrorism and Organised Crime Act), the details are kept confidential. By the time an FIR is filed, many bootleggers vanish underground or flee the country. 

Reward declared on 10 bootleggers

After extensive investigation into the routes liquor takes into Gujarat from four neighboring states, the SMC identified 10 key bootleggers in April 2024. Rewards were announced to aid their capture, ranging from ₹20,000 to ₹1 lakh. More than a year has passed—none have been arrested.

List of the 10 most wanted bootleggers

• Anil alias Pandey Jagdish Prasad Jat – ₹1,00,000 reward
• Ashish Rameshchandra Agrawal – ₹1,00,000 reward
• Bharat Udaji Dangi – ₹50,000 reward
• Pavansingh Mahichha – ₹25,000 reward
• Sunil alias Bhavarlal Motilal Darji – ₹25,000 reward
• Tofiq Nazir Khan Musalman – ₹25,000 reward
• Pirararam Mewa Ram Dewasi – ₹25,000 reward
• Gulabsingh Ramsingh Vaghela – ₹25,000 reward
• Khegar Ram alias Chhotu Khilori Balwantram Bishnoi – ₹20,000 reward
• Kantilal Rohit Ratilal Marwadi – ₹20,000 reward