Rajkot, Nov 1 (PTI) Thirty-eight persons were booked in Gujarat’s Rajkot on suspicion of liquor consumption after a raid on a birthday party at a hotel on Kalawad Road, a police official said on Sunday.
The raid was conducted on Saturday night by the Local Crime Branch (LCB) following a tip-off, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 2) Rakesh Desai said.
“Based on a breath analyser test conducted on the spot, an FIR under Gujarat Prohibition Act was registered against those found under the influence of alcohol. Nearly 30 women were also present at the party, but none were found to have consumed alcohol as per tests,” he said.
Blood samples of 98 persons, including guests and hotel staff, were collected at Rajkot Civil Hospital, following which an FIR was registered against 38 people, comprising 35 male guests who attended the party and three hotel staffers, the DCP said.
“The party was organised by one Chirag Patel to celebrate his birthday. We seized 11 empty and filled 750 ml bottles of Indian Made Foreign liquor (IMFL) of different brands. No other intoxicating substance was found during the raid. Most of the people present at the party were from Rajkot and neighbouring Morbi,” he said.
The hotel’s licence and past records, CCTV footage are being examined along with the role of the hotel management and other people connected with the party, Desai said.
Gujarat is a “dry” state. Manufacture, storage, sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages have been prohibited in the state since its formation. The exemption given to GIFT City was the first such relaxation granted for a specific area in Gujarat. PTI COR PJT BNM
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