AHMEDABAD: What began as a silver-jubilee celebration at a gated weekend home on the outskirts of Ahmedabad ended late Wednesday night with police vehicles lined up at the entrance, guests detained, and luxury cars sealed off—an abrupt collision between private affluence and Gujarat’s prohibition law.
A Celebration Interrupted
On Wednesday evening, a 25th wedding anniversary gathering at Nirvana Greens Weekend Homes in Sanand was underway when police arrived following a specific tip-off. Inside, officers found what they described as an elaborate private party, marked by high-end catering arrangements, multiple cake tables, and an atmosphere of exclusivity typical of upscale weekend homes on Ahmedabad’s periphery.
The raid abruptly disrupted the celebration. As police entered the venue, confusion spread among guests—most of them between the ages of 35 and 45—who, according to officers present, attempted to leave or conceal items as the premises were secured. By the end of the operation, 81 people had been detained for alleged violations linked to illegal liquor and hookah use.
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Inside the Weekend Home
Police said the scale of the setup suggested careful planning. Several bottles of foreign liquor were seized along with more than 10 hookah pipes. Outside the property, over 20 luxury vehicles were found parked, underscoring the profile of those in attendance.
The event, officers noted, appeared tailored to Ahmedabad’s affluent professional circles. Those detained included prominent builders, doctors, and business professionals from across the city. The presence of imported alcohol and hookahs—both prohibited under state law—formed the basis of the immediate action taken at the site.
Detentions and Procedure
According to the Sanand police, the 81 detainees included 43 men and 38 women. Male guests were taken into custody and transported to a government hospital for mandatory medical examinations, a standard procedure in cases involving alleged alcohol consumption under the Prohibition Act.
Female guests were served legal notices and allowed to leave after preliminary formalities, in line with established protocol. Police officials said the atmosphere at the station grew tense as relatives and associates of those detained arrived late into the night, drawn by the prominence of several individuals on the guest list.
The Inquiry Widens
Investigators are now focusing on how the prohibited substances were sourced and who organised the event. Sanand police said they are examining the roles of hosts, suppliers, and facilitators, while verifying the backgrounds of all participants.
Officials reiterated that the area has seen an increase in private gatherings involving alcohol and narcotics, prompting what they described as a zero-tolerance approach. Seized vehicles and materials remain in police custody as authorities prepare formal charges under Gujarat’s Prohibition Act, a process expected to continue in the coming days as the investigation unfolds.
