PCB seizes IMFL worth ₹38.44 lakh, arrests two in Narol bootlegging case

The Prevention of Crime Branch (PCB) on Wednesday busted an alleged bootlegging operation near Torrent Power on the Narol–Rangoli Nagar Road and seized Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL), a goods vehicle and other items collectively valued at ₹38.44 lakh.

Two persons were arrested during the operation, while four other accused have been named in the case and are currently absconding.

According to police, the raid led to the seizure of 177 cartons containing 5,868 sealed bottles of IMFL with an estimated market value of ₹28.24 lakh.

Investigators believe the liquor consignment was being transported for illegal distribution in violation of Gujarat's prohibition laws.

Apart from the liquor, police seized:

A Tata goods vehicle valued at ₹10 lakh

Two mobile phones worth approximately ₹20,000

A bilty (consignment receipt)

Old broken furniture allegedly used during the operation

The total value of the seized property has been estimated at ₹38.44 lakh.

The arrested accused have been identified as:

Rameshchand Ramlal Jhulaha (Kabirpanthi), a resident of Valam village in Solan district, Himachal Pradesh

Jitendra Hariram Chaurasia, a resident of Amraiwadi, Ahmedabad

Police have also named four absconding accused:

Ranvir Singh of Hamirpur district, Himachal Pradesh

Sunil Puniya of Chandigarh

Owner of the Tata goods vehicle

Another suspect identified as Khanbhai

A case has been registered under the relevant provisions of the Gujarat Prohibition Act.

Police said further investigation is underway to determine the source of the liquor consignment, its intended destination and whether the accused were part of a larger interstate liquor smuggling network operating across multiple states.

Efforts are also underway to trace and arrest the remaining accused.