Ahmedabad: Alleged Counterfeit Liquor Operation Busted, One Arrested

Ahmedabad, August 20, 2026
By Viral Tripathi, District Reporter, Indian Press Union

As the death toll from the Bhavnagar spurious liquor tragedy climbed to nine, a parallel investigation in Ahmedabad has uncovered an alleged counterfeit liquor operation that reportedly passed off cheap, chemically adulterated alcohol as branded foreign liquor. The bust, carried out jointly by Nikol police and the State Monitoring Cell (SMC), has resulted in one arrest so far, while two other accused are reported to be absconding.

Racket Allegedly Relied on Chemicals, Flavouring Agents and Fake Labels

Investigators allege that the accused operated a low-cost setup in which ordinary liquor was decanted into bottles, allegedly mixed with chemical additives and artificial flavours to resemble premium brands, and then packaged with counterfeit branding. Police also alleged that some stickers were designed to resemble labels used on liquor meant for defence personnel.

Tip-Off Leads to Arrest Near Atal Awas Yojana

The operation began after Nikol police's surveillance wing received information from the SMC indicating that two individuals, Sunil Makhija and Dinesh Jandawala, were due to meet near the entrance of the Atal Awas Yojana housing scheme, allegedly to coordinate the manufacture and sale of counterfeit liquor.

Acting on the information, a joint team from the SMC and local police conducted a raid at the location and apprehended Sunil, also known as Sonu Rameshbhai Makhija, who was found near a Jupiter scooter. A search of the vehicle's storage compartment reportedly yielded a bottle of suspected counterfeit liquor, along with a mobile phone valued at approximately ₹5,000, which was seized as part of the investigation.

Search of Second Accused's Home Turns Up Further Evidence

Investigators subsequently searched the Kubernagar residence of Dinesh Jandawala, the second accused named in the case, who remains absconding. According to police, the search yielded four bottles containing an unidentified liquid suspected to be linked to the alleged adulteration process, four additional plastic bottles apparently used in the bottling operation, and an Aadhaar card belonging to the accused.

Investigators placed the value of the seized material, including the liquid, bottles and mobile phone, at roughly ₹9,500.

Police Probe Alleged Supply Chain for Fake Bottles and Stickers

Police said questioning of the arrested accused has provided leads about the alleged supply chain for packaging materials. According to investigators, Dinesh allegedly procured empty bottles along with counterfeit branded stickers and seals from an individual running a scrap shop near Chamunda Bridge. The person is also being investigated as part of the probe.

Case Registered, Search for Other Accused Underway

Nikol police have registered a case against all three individuals — the arrested accused and the two others who are currently absconding, including the scrap dealer who is allegedly suspected of supplying counterfeit packaging materials.

While Sunil Makhija remains in custody, police teams are continuing efforts to locate Dinesh Jandawala and the third accused. The investigation is ongoing, and further details are awaited.

The development comes at a sensitive moment for law enforcement across Gujarat, with the state dealing with the fallout of the Bhavnagar spurious liquor deaths. Authorities may intensify checks on informal liquor supply chains in the region as the Ahmedabad investigation progresses.

(Inputs from Nikol Police Station and State Monitoring Cell case details)