Vadodara: An expert in making counterfeit liquor, Nitin Kotvani was detained under the Prevention of Anti-Social Act (PASA) by the prevention of crime branch (PCB) on Wednesday. Kotvani is one of the key accused in the recent racket busted by cops where liquor was being manufactured at a unit meant for making ayurvedic syrup on the outskirts of the city.
“He was booked under PASA for being a ‘dangerous person’. Kotvani has committed similar crimes in the past and he is a habitual offender whose activities can endanger lives,” said Jatin Patel, police inspector. The police said that Kotvani can make formulations for Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL).
“He has done Bachelors in Science (BSc) and hence he has a thorough knowledge of chemicals. Many years ago, he was booked for making non-alcoholic beer that had more liquor content,” Patel told TOI. Thirty-six-year-old Kotvani was also arrested earlier this year for making duplicate sanitiser during the second wave of Covid.
He made a plan to make duplicate liquor when he was lodged in Vadodara central jail. Kotvani met two other key accused Bhajanlal Bishnoi and Hanuman Bishnoi, both residents of Rajasthan, in the jail. The duo was jailed under the Prohibition Act. While Kotvani offered to make IMFL formulation and manufacture liquor, Bhajanlal took a unit in Sankarda on rent.
They then roped in five other persons to make the liquor and then sell it across the state. The cops had raided the unit some days ago and seized hundreds of litres of ethanol along with some machines. “We have arrested five of the accused while Bhajanlal and Hanuman are yet to be nabbed,” Patel said.
“He was booked under PASA for being a ‘dangerous person’. Kotvani has committed similar crimes in the past and he is a habitual offender whose activities can endanger lives,” said Jatin Patel, police inspector. The police said that Kotvani can make formulations for Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL).
“He has done Bachelors in Science (BSc) and hence he has a thorough knowledge of chemicals. Many years ago, he was booked for making non-alcoholic beer that had more liquor content,” Patel told TOI. Thirty-six-year-old Kotvani was also arrested earlier this year for making duplicate sanitiser during the second wave of Covid.
He made a plan to make duplicate liquor when he was lodged in Vadodara central jail. Kotvani met two other key accused Bhajanlal Bishnoi and Hanuman Bishnoi, both residents of Rajasthan, in the jail. The duo was jailed under the Prohibition Act. While Kotvani offered to make IMFL formulation and manufacture liquor, Bhajanlal took a unit in Sankarda on rent.
They then roped in five other persons to make the liquor and then sell it across the state. The cops had raided the unit some days ago and seized hundreds of litres of ethanol along with some machines. “We have arrested five of the accused while Bhajanlal and Hanuman are yet to be nabbed,” Patel said.
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