Thirty-eight people, including 35 guests and three hotel employees, have been booked under the Gujarat Prohibition Act after police raided a birthday party at a hotel on Kalawad Road in Rajkot district, where liquor was allegedly being consumed, officials said. The Local Crime Branch (LCB) conducted the raid on Saturday night following a tip-off, officials said on Sunday.

Source: IANS via The Freedom Press

Police conducted breathalyser tests at the venue and subsequently collected blood samples of 98 people, including guests and hotel staff, at the Rajkot Civil Hospital. An FIR was registered against 38 people after the tests. "Those who tested positive for alcohol consumption in the on-the-spot breathalyser tests were booked under the Gujarat Prohibition Act. Around 30 women were also present at the party, but none tested positive for alcohol consumption," Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 2) Rakesh Desai said.

Party was organised for a birthday; hotel's role under examination

The party was organised by Chirag Patel to celebrate his birthday, and most of those attending were residents of Rajkot and neighbouring Morbi, Desai said. Police seized 11 empty and filled 750 ml bottles of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) of different brands during the raid, and no other intoxicating substances were found. Police are also examining the role of the hotel management and other people associated with the event, and the hotel's licence, previous records and CCTV footage are being examined as part of the investigation. Gujarat has maintained prohibition since its formation, banning the manufacture, storage, sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages.

Local Gujarati reporting by Gujarat Headline identified the venue as the Saraza Hotel on Kalawad Road and reported that 76 people were initially detained during the operation before the test results determined who would be booked.

Source: Gujarat Headline