Surat: 4 cops among 15 caught for Valsad booze party

SURAT: Amid the hooch tragedy in dry Gujarat, four policemen and 15 others were arrested during a raid on a booze party in Atul of Valsad on Tuesday night. Of the four policemen, one is a sub-inspector, one is head constable and two are constables. The raid was conducted following information to Valsad superintendent of police Rajdeepsinh Zala.
The arrested policemen are: PSI Ravi Gamit, posted at Nanapondha police station; head constable Jayendra Jethwa, posted at Valsad rural police station; constable Nitin Rathod, posted at Kaprada police station; and Kamlesh Bhagora, constable-driver in motor transport division of Valsad police. The raid was conducted by teams of Valsad town police station and local crime branch.
The four cops were suspended and will face departmental inquiry. They were on duty when they were caught from the party.
The party venue was under the jurisdiction of Valsad rural police station. Gamit came there by travelling 30km from the police station of his posting; Rathod travelled 42km from his police station to reach the venue; Bhagora travelled around 7km to come to the party.
The party was going on at the residence of Sunny Baviskar in Anand Colony. Baviskar is a manager at an authorised car service centre and came in touch with the policemen while helping them to get their cars repaired. He arranged liquor and invited friends to the party.
Police recovered 18 whisky bottles worth Rs 9,250, 26 mobile phones and 12 vehicles — total worth Rs 26 lakh.