Bootlegging in south Gujarat: Diu liquor baron held

Junagadh Superintendent of Police Manindersingh Pawar said: “As per the modus operandi,Kalpana Distilleries supplied liquor to Eagle Bar without bills,which in turn found their way into Gujarat through bootleggers. We have found in the investigations that the Excise Department did not maintain any record.

The police believe the involvement of some Excise officials in the racket and have not ruled out their arrest in the near future.

Furgo was arrested on the basis of the statement by the owner of Eagle Bar,Mohan Gadai,who confessed having purchased liquor from Kalpana Distilleries and supplied it to bootleggers in Junagadh,Una town in Junagadh district shares its border with Diu. On Wednesday,the police initiated the process to produce him in court for custody,but Furgo reportedly fell ill and was taken to a hospital in Una.

Furgo is the son of former Goa Assembly Speaker Narandas and owns the biggest distillery in Diu.

The police said the racket was busted last month following the arrest of a couple of bootleggers last month.

Till date,seven bar owners have been arrested for selling liquor in the open market whereas their licence permits them to sell it only in their premises.

On April 20,the Junagadh police had interrogated seven Excise officials.