Surat: Chirag Goti, a businessman accused of orchestrating the planting of mephedrone in a vehicle to falsely implicate his former business partner, surrendered before a Surat court on Monday following directions from the Supreme Court.

Subsequently, a local court on Tuesday granted the police four days of custodial interrogation, intensifying a probe that has now widened to include allegations of assault, extortion, and a broader criminal network linked to the accused.

Drug Seizure and Alleged Framing

According to investigators, the case dates back about ten months, when Singanpor police seized 70 grams of mephedrone valued at approximately ₹7 lakh from Alpesh Miyani near Ved Road Gurukul. A subsequent inquiry revealed that Miyani, a resident near Katargam Hathi Mandir, had allegedly been framed.

The probe further revealed that the drugs were planted in his car as part of a conspiracy involving his former business associate Chirag Goti, Goti’s brother Nirant Goti, and their father Ghanshyam Goti. The conspiracy reportedly stemmed from a dispute in their oil business after a GST-related raid in December 2024 led to the sealing of company stocks and a breakdown in relations.

Arrests, Absconding Period, and Court Direction

While Nirant Goti and an alleged associate, Mohammed Hamza alias Rizwan Badshah, were arrested earlier and chargesheets were filed against them, Chirag Goti had remained absconding for months and was declared wanted along with the alleged drug supplier, Mohammed Safwan Mohammed Ishaq Mewawala. During Supreme Court proceedings on Nirant’s bail plea, the court identified Chirag as the primary conspirator and directed him to surrender within two weeks. He subsequently appeared in court in the presence of his advocate after reportedly fleeing to locations including Nepal to evade arrest.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Z. R. Desai produced Chirag Goti before the Surat court on Tuesday and sought seven days’ custody for interrogation; however, the court granted four days. Police are expected to question him regarding the alleged conspiracy, the procurement of narcotics, and the possible involvement of additional accomplices.

Fresh Allegations of Assault and Extortion

Meanwhile, Goti, previously described as a prominent Surat industrialist whose company reported an annual turnover of about ₹100 crore, now faces mounting accusations beyond the drug-planting case.

Individuals have begun coming forward with allegations of violent assault and financial extortion. One complainant, Jignesh Vyas, has alleged that Goti extorted ₹23 crore from him through intimidation and the forced transfer of property, while videos circulating on social media purportedly show victims being slapped, threatened with a firearm, or beaten with a stick.

Additional videos linked to the accused have also surfaced. In one instance, Goti is purportedly seen slapping his driver and behaving in an indecent manner. In another clip, he is allegedly seen firing four rounds from a revolver in public during Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations. The authenticity of these videos and the allegations remains unverified, and investigators are examining the claims as part of the broader inquiry.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Z. R. Desai stated that Chirag Goti surrendered before the court on February 9 following directions from the Supreme Court, a development that became widely known on February 10 and helped reduce public fear. Since then, individuals have begun filing complaints supported by technical evidence, and some complainants have also met the Police Commissioner to provide details of alleged incidents in different areas.

Desai added that the Police Commissioner has assigned the investigation to the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Special Operations Group (SOG). Authorities are ensuring that complaints are properly documented, evidence is collected, and appropriate chargesheets are prepared. Legal action will be taken based on the findings of the investigation.

“While Chirag Goti has been arrested in connection with the NDPS case, the emergence of alleged assault videos suggests possible additional offences. Police indicated that all such claims are under examination as part of the ongoing probe,” Desai added.

Authorities said the probe will focus on uncovering the full extent of the alleged network operating under the cover of legitimate business activities. The case remains under active investigation. DeshGujarat