Ahmedabad: Amid the crackdown against anti-social elements across the state, the State Monitoring Cell (SMC) has compiled a list of 15 major bootleggers and gambling offenders with illegal properties and constructions. The SMC today released the list of these 15 criminals whose illegal properties are set to be demolished as part of a crackdown on organized crime.

An official note from the SMC stated that under the directive of Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghavi, Gujarat’s Director General of Police (DGP) Vikas Sahay, IPS, has ordered strict legal action against anti-social elements within 100 hours to strengthen law and order and ensure public safety. In response, Nirlipt Rai, IPS, Deputy Inspector General of the State Monitoring Cell (SMC), along with Deputy Superintendent of Police K.T. Kamriya, has compiled a list of 24 individuals actively involved in bootlegging, gambling, and illegal mineral and chemical theft. A total of 15 teams have been assigned to take action against their unauthorized properties and encroachments across the state.

Following thorough investigations, the SMC identified 19 illegal properties and encroachments linked to 15 offenders. As a result, a proposal with supporting evidence has been submitted to the Municipal Commissioners of Ahmedabad City, Rajkot City, and Surat City, as well as the Collectors and District Magistrates of Mehsana, Bharuch, Kutch, Surendranagar, and Junagadh for the removal of these illegal constructions/encroachments. A copy of this proposal has also been sent to the Police Commissioners of the concerned cities and the Superintendents of Police of the respective districts.

Furthermore, during the investigation conducted by the State Monitoring Cell, it was found that (1) Girish alias Tommy Unjha Parshottambhai Patel (Gambling Offender – Ahmedabad City, Mehsana), (2) Altaf alias Chha Pingh Hanifbhai Them (Prohibited Listed Bootlegger – Rajkot City), and (3) Puna Bhanabhai Bharwad (Prohibited Listed Bootlegger – Kutch) had rented out or occupied their residential houses without notifying the police or informing the district authorities. The concerned police stations have been directed to take action against the owners of these properties for violating notification requirements.

Additionally, Sotajbhai Harisinh Yadav (Mineral Theft – Surendranagar) was found to have been stealing electricity through an illegal connection at his residential house. As a result, the PGVCL team disconnected the electricity supply and filed a case at the PGVCL Post Office in Surendranagar.

The State Monitoring Cell has taken the aforementioned legal actions within just 72 hours, said the official note. DeshGujarat