Ahmedabad, Aug 12 (IANS) The Ahmedabad City Police have arrested 13 people under the Prevention of Anti-Social Activities Act (PASA) and sent them to different jails across Gujarat within two days, with the action targeting alleged bootlegging, theft, assault and cheating offences, officials said on Wednesday.
The action was taken as Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gahlaut directed police to continue combing and vehicle-checking operations across the city to maintain law and order and prevent untoward incidents.
According to a statement issued by the Prevention of Crime Branch on Tuesday night, police also initiated PASA proceedings against people allegedly involved in activities considered detrimental to public order.
Of the 13 detainees, five have been categorised as bootleggers and eight as “dangerous” persons in the police record.
The bootlegger cases concern alleged illegal possession, transportation and sale of country-made liquor or Indian-made foreign liquor and beer without the required pass or permit.
Among those detained under the dangerous category are Rajjan Nai, accused in motorcycle theft and chain-snatching cases; Pankaj Solanki, accused in three cases involving assaults, threats, weapons and property damage; and Babubhai Machhar, accused of breaking into a warehouse and shop and stealing copper scrap, wires, brass, pipes and cutting equipment.
Police also detained Vishnuprasad Pandit alias Bangali Arjunprasad Ravibhai, accused of breaking shop shutters and stealing cash from drawers, and Bharat Vanzara, accused in two cases involving alleged assaults, serious injuries, house trespass, property damage, threats and use of a knife.
The list also includes Himanshu alias Rocky Panchal, whom police allege falsely claimed to be a police sub-inspector, gained the complainant’s confidence and obtained cash through cheating.
The remaining bootlegging cases involve Ramesh Khileri, Ganpatbhai Talpada, Rohit Kalal, Jagmalram Beniwal, Tej Singh alias Talo Vakilsingh Dabhi, Vinod alias Bhau Sonar and Nileshkumar Parmar.
The police said the accused were allegedly involved in transporting, handling or selling liquor without valid permits.
Officials said the action formed part of ongoing combing and vehicle-checking operations ordered to maintain public order.
Police added that “strict action under PASA” would be taken against people whose activities could obstruct the maintenance of law and order in Ahmedabad in the future.
The action comes as the city police is continuing late-night combing operations in various parts. The operation includes vehicle checks, action against history-sheeters, and curbing the distribution of liquor and narcotics.
–IANS
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