Gujarat Congress leader Modhwadia's son held for consuming liquor

Ahmedabad: Police arrested former Gujarat Congress chief Arjun Modhwadia's son, Parth and 24 others for allegedly consuming liquor at a party in Satellite area of the city.

Acting on a tip-off, police raided a residential apartment in Asawari tower near S G Highway early this morning and nabbed Parth (25) along with 24 others who were celebrating their friend's birthday, said Satellite Police Station Inspector M U Mashi.

"We found more than 20 bottles of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) from the apartment, owned by one Varun Jain. We have arrested 25 persons, including Parth, as they were found to be in inebriated state. We have lodged an FIR against the 25 youths under the State Prohibition Act," said Mashi.

Later, all of them were taken to Sola Civil Hospital,

where doctors collected their blood samples for examination. "All the accused have been released on bail in the afternoon," said Mashi.

When contacted, Modhwadia admitted that his son was present at the apartment but denied that the latter had consumed alcohol.

"As per the primary report of Sola civil hospital, Parth was not found to be under the influence of liquor when he was examined by doctors. I agree that Parth was present there, but he had not consumed liquor. In fact, police demanded Rs 11 lakh from them to settle the matter," the Congress leader alleged.

However, police refuted Modhwadia's allegations and maintained that no bribe was demanded.

"The primary report by doctors is not final as we only take into account the blood test report which is yet to come.

Only that report can prove if someone had consumed liquor or not. If we wanted to settle the matter, then we would have let all of them go after taking money," said Mashi.

Gujarat is a "dry" state where the manufacture, sale and consumption of alcohol is prohibited within its boundaries.