Vinod Chauhan alias Dagri, the key accused in the hooch tragedy, ran his business of country-made liquor like a private limited firm. At any time, he had a staff of 100 people, who were assigned different duties including manufacture of the liquor, its transportation and delivery.
According to a source, Dagri had 40 male and 25 female labourers to manufacture the liquor. He would ready the country-made liquor at deserted locations, including on riverbanks and farm land. He paid Rs200 per day to the labourers preparing the brew.
Dagri also hired 20 deliverymen for the brew in Ahmedabad, Anand, Kheda, Vadodara and other southern districts. He ensured his presence for the delivery of the stock to his aides and assures proper quality and quantity. He paid between Rs200 and Rs300 to each person for a single delivery in a personal vehicle. He also hired some vehicle-owners and paid them a minimum of Rs1,000 for a single trip.
Dagri assured all the labourers, deliverymen and other aides that they would not be caught by the police, and if they were caught, that he would bear all their expenses as for the period for which the cases lasted in court. He also paid heavy hafta to the local police.
Though he had a monthly turnover of lakhs of rupees, he was polite and simple, and also provided feasts and treats to his friends and business allies.
Dagri had gained expertise in the illegal liquor trade at the age of 27 or 28 years. He had been chairman of the milk cooperative society at Vanthwadi village. He had, however, relinquished his post after being caught in a Rs26 lakh money scam.
He had later come in contact with Rasik Sodha, a former BJP councillor from the Mahemdabad municipality, and a person named Ravinder. They had together begun a country-liquor business with Sodha. Dagri learnt all the lessons of the illegal liquor trade and earned heavily. He later cut ties with Sodha, who is also wanted in connection with the hooch tragedy, after a dispute a couple of years ago.
