Liquor party bust: Crime branch summons Modhwadia, 25 accused

A day after senior Congress leader Arjun Modhwadia claimed that police took bribe to "settle the matter" after busting a liquor party which was also attended by his son, the crime branch today summoned him to provide "proofs" to substantiate his allegations.
Crime branch, which was handed over the probe yesterday, also summoned 25 youths, including Modhwadia's son Parth, who were arrested at the party here for allegedly consuming liquor.
An FIR was also lodged against a woman sub-inspector of police who had conducted the raid on Sunday after Modhwadia accused her of taking money.
Manufacture and sale of liquor is prohibited in Gujarat.

Modhwadia, the former state Congress chief, has been called to provide proofs on the charges of corruption he had levelled yesterday against Chandrakala Jadeja, attached to Satellite police station, said Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) J K Bhatt.
During a press conference yesterday, Modhwadia claimed that Jadeja took a bribe of Rs 4 lakh to "settle the matter" after conducting raid at an apartment in Satellite area.

"The raid was conducted by the woman PSI and two constables of Satellite Police Station with an intention to extract money. The PSI asked for Rs 11 lakh and then settled for Rs 4 lakh. I have an audio clip, in which, she can be heard saying that she accepted Rs 4 lakh," Modhwadia had alleged.

He had also circulated an audio clip, in which, Jadeja is purportedly heard admitting that she has taken Rs 4 lakh from the family members of the accused for not arresting the women present at the party and expediting the bail process of 25 male accused.
Bhatt said an FIR was lodged against Jadeja and three others, including those who allegedly gave the bribe and two mediators.
"After the matter came to the attention of police inspector of Satellite (police station) M U Mashi, he has lodged an FIR with crime branch against Jadeja and 3 others under various sections of Prevention of Corruption Act. We will conduct thorough investigation into this matter," said Bhatt.

The officer said Modhwadia has been summoned to give his statement in this regard.
"We have also asked him to submit any other audio clip or any other material to help us in our investigation," the JCP said.
On Sunday, police had raided a birthday party being held
at an apartment in Asavari Tower in Satellite area of the city and arrested 25 youths, including Parth, for allegedly consuming liquor.
All the youths were granted bail on the same day after doctors at Sola Civil Hospital collected their blood samples to determine whether they were drunk.
With the issue of raid and subsequent charges of corruption causing a flutter, the probe was transferred to crime branch.

The investigation into the case is now being headed by Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) C N Rajput of city crime branch.
"We will also request the court to issue an order to seize passports of 25 accused. We have also recovered the CCTV footages of Asavari Tower to find out who actually visited the party and how many women were there, as it has been alleged that police have let them go after taking money," said Bhatt.