Government of Gujarat vs POONAMBEN URFE BHAGVATIBEN ANANDBHAI DEVIPUJAK Advocate - V M SOLANKI — 2976/2025

Case Summary Criminal Case No. 2976/25 | Additional Judicial Magistrate, Viramgam | Judgment Date: 13 April 2026 The court acquitted the accused, Punambhen (also known as Bhagwatiben), of charges under the Prohibition Act Section 65-A after finding that the prosecution failed to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt. Although illicit liquor was allegedly seized from the accused's premises, the court noted critical procedural lapses: the panchas (witnesses) did not corroborate that the contraband was found in the accused's possession, the seizure lacked independent corroboration, and the accused herself was not apprehended at the scene. Applying the principle that suspicion cannot substitute for proof, the court granted the accused the benefit of doubt and ordered her acquittal with destruction of seized materials after appeal period. This case analysis is maintained by casestatus.in based on publicly available court records.