In a tragic incident that underscores the dangers of enforcing Gujarat’s strict prohibition laws, a sub-inspector of the state police died in the early hours of Tuesday, November 5th, while attempting to stop a vehicle suspected of carrying illegal liquor. The incident occurred near Kathada village on the Dasada-Patdi road in Surendranagar district, around 2:30 am.
The deceased officer, identified as 50-year-old JM Pathan, was a member of the State Monitoring Cell (SMC), a special branch of the Gujarat Police dedicated to implementing the state’s prohibition laws. Pathan and his team received a tip-off about an SUV potentially carrying illegal liquor. Around 2 am, they positioned themselves on a turn of the road to intercept the vehicle.
The suspected vehicle, accompanied by a trailer, managed to navigate the turn, but the police attempted to stop an SUV that followed. However, the police officers were blinded by the SUV’s headlights and collided with the back of the trailer. Pathan sustained severe head injuries in the impact and was rushed to a nearby health center. He was subsequently transferred to a government hospital, where he was declared dead.
An FIR was registered at the Dasada police station, and further investigations are underway.
The incident has sparked widespread grief and condemnation. Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghavi paid tribute to the “brave officer” who “laid down his life in the fight against prohibition.” In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Sanghavi wrote, “PSI J M Pathan, an aspiring officer of the state monitoring cell, died while trying to catch a suspected vehicle full of liquor on Dasada-Patdi road of Surendranagar district. Gujarat Police has lost a brave, hardworking officer. A tribute to this brave officer who laid down his life in the fight against prohibition. Heartfelt condolences to his family.”
This tragic incident highlights the challenges faced by law enforcement officers in enforcing Gujarat’s strict prohibition laws. The state’s ban on alcohol has led to a thriving black market, with smugglers resorting to increasingly dangerous tactics to evade detection. The death of JM Pathan serves as a stark reminder of the risks involved in combating illegal liquor trade, and calls for renewed attention to the safety and well-being of officers tasked with enforcing these laws.
