A woman police sub-inspector, along with three journalists, was allegedly assaulted and held captive by a bootlegger and his accomplices after she raided his liquor den at Bhasariya village in Mehsana district, police said.
"PSI Anila Brahmbhatt raided the hideout on a tip-off that liquor worth Rs 50 lakh was being distributed for election purposes by the suspect Veersingji Thakore," said a police officer.
He said an FIR would be registered after statements of the PSI and scribes were recorded.
Brahmbhatt said she called up the scribes after she received the tip-off and rushed to the spot.
"When we reached the spot, we saw about 40 vehicles on which boxes consisting of liquor were being loaded," she said.
Brahmbhatt said Thakore's men thrashed her and one of them tore her clothes. "We were held captive for about two hours until the consignment was dispatched in vehicles," she added.
When contacted, Mehsana SP J R Mothaliya said Brahmbhatt has exceeded her brief.
"The lady PSI neither took official vehicle nor police staff. She should have informed her seniors before conducting the raid. She is posted in women police station in Mehasana city and went out of her jurisdiction for the raid," he said.
He said Thakore was a notorious bootlegger who was arrested earlier under the Prevention of Anti-Social Activity Act (PASA).