19,522 Liquor Bottles Worth ₹53.78 Lakh Seized From Godown Linked to BJP Corporator’s Son in Jamnagar
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Panchkoshi ‘A’ Division police arrest one driver; 10 others, including Hitesh alias ‘Vango’ Bambhaniya, son of Ward 10 corporator Manjuben Bambhaniya, remain absconding
Jamnagar police have seized 19,522 bottles of foreign-made liquor valued at ₹40.68 lakh from a godown behind Mansi Hotel on the Jamnagar-Rajkot Highway, taking the total value of the seized liquor, vehicles and a mobile phone to ₹53.78 lakh. The premises are allegedly linked to Hitesh alias ‘Vango’ Narshibhai Bambhaniya, son of BJP corporator Manjuben Bambhaniya, who represents Ward 10 of the Jamnagar Municipal Corporation.
The Panchkoshi ‘A’ Division police conducted the raid following a tip-off that a large consignment of liquor had been brought to the premises for repackaging and distribution. One driver was arrested at the spot, while 10 other accused, including the alleged mastermind, remain absconding, according to police.
The investigation is under way to trace the source of the liquor, identify those involved in its transportation and establish the intended recipients of the consignment.
Police Raid Godown After Receiving Tip-Off
The raid followed directions from Rajkot Range Inspector General of Police Nirlipt Rai and Jamnagar District Superintendent of Police Dr Ravi Mohan Saini to take action against illegal liquor and gambling activities.
A team from Panchkoshi ‘A’ Division police, working under the guidance of Deputy Superintendent of Police Piyush Vanda, was conducting patrols when Police Inspector I. A. Ghasura and other personnel received specific information about the liquor consignment at the godown behind Mansi Hotel.
According to police, two Ashok Leyland pickup trucks and a Tata ‘Chhota Hathi’ vehicle were being used in the transportation and distribution operation near the premises.
The police arrested Dharmeshbhai Navalbhai Yagnik, 37, a resident of Swaminarayan Society in Navagam Ghed, Jamnagar, who was allegedly driving one of the vehicles.
19,522 Bottles and Three Vehicles Seized
During searches of the godown and vehicles, police recovered 19,522 bottles of foreign-made liquor of various brands. They also seized the three vehicles allegedly used to transport the stock and a mobile phone.
The total estimated value of the seized items is ₹53,78,517.
Seized item | Estimated value |
|---|---|
19,522 bottles of foreign-made liquor | ₹40,68,517 |
Ashok Leyland ‘Bada Dost’ pickup (GJ 10 TY 1965) | ₹5,00,000 |
Ashok Leyland ‘Dost’ pickup (GJ 10 TX 6472) | ₹5,00,000 |
Tata ‘Chhota Hathi’ (GJ 10 TX 7053) | ₹3,00,000 |
Mobile phone | ₹10,000 |
Total | ₹53,78,517 |
Driver’s Questioning Points to Alleged Distribution Network
According to the police statement, the arrested driver told investigators that his friend, Hitesh alias ‘Vango’ Bambhaniya, had procured the liquor from outside the area for sale.
Police suspect that the liquor was being repackaged or sorted at the godown before being distributed to local bootleggers and others involved in the alleged operation.
Investigators are now attempting to establish the source of the consignment, trace its transportation route and identify the people expected to receive the liquor.
10 Accused, Including Alleged Mastermind, Remain Absconding
Police have identified 10 people as absconding in connection with the case. The list provided in police records includes:
- Hitesh alias ‘Vango’ Narshibhai Bambhaniya — Rajpark, Jamnagar.
- Sunil alias ‘Bhuti’ Dhanjibhai Donasiya — Rajpark, Jamnagar.
- Sunil Baraiya — Rajpark, Jamnagar.
- Dilip — near the Old Railway Station, Jamnagar.
- Meru Rama Rabari — Pastar, Bhanvad, Devbhumi Dwarka district.
- Yogesh Koli — near Gurudwara Chokdi, Jamnagar.
- Rahul Reshiya — Bhimvas, Jamnagar.
- Vimlo Dodaro — Jamnagar.
- Rohit Koli — Shankartekri, Jamnagar.
- Jigo Solanki Khavas — Pancheshwar Tower, Jamnagar.
Police said efforts were under way to locate and apprehend the absconding accused.
Corporator’s Son Named in Case
The alleged involvement of Hitesh alias ‘Vango’ Bambhaniya, identified as the son of BJP corporator Manjuben Bambhaniya, has drawn attention to the case in local political circles.
However, the allegations against him remain subject to investigation and legal proceedings. His inclusion among the absconding accused does not establish guilt.
The police team involved in the operation included Inspector I. A. Ghasura, Assistant Sub-Inspectors Nirmalsinh B. Jadeja and Jaypalsinh V. Jadeja, head constables Ramdevsinh J. Jadeja, Chetanbhai R. Ghagharetiya, Girirajsinh K. Jadeja and Hardevsinh M. Jhala, and constables Kamleshbhai, Digvijaysinh Jadeja, Karanbhai Shiyar and Mayursinh Jhala.
The investigation continues, with police focusing on the alleged supply chain and the wider network behind the seized consignment.
