Ambergris or Coal? Surat Police Faces Court Scrutiny

Surat | Gujarat — In a stunning twist that has raised serious questions about the credibility of Surat Police, a Special Operation Group (SOG) raid claiming to have seized ambergris worth ₹5.5 crore has been challenged in court. Defense lawyers argued that the seized material was not the rare whale byproduct — popularly known as “floating gold” — but ordinary coal sourced from a farm in Bhavnagar.

The revelation has cast doubt on one of the city police’s most high-profile seizures, sparking criticism over investigative lapses and raising the possibility of wrongful incarceration.

Defense Produces Coal in Court

During arguments, defense lawyer Fenil Modi stunned the courtroom by presenting coal samples resembling the seized material.“What Surat Police is claiming as ambergris worth crores is nothing but coal found on the Bhavnagar farm of accused Vipul Bambhaniya,” Modi told the court.

He added that Vipul was merely transporting the coal for personal use when police intercepted him. To further substantiate the claim, the defense highlighted that when police searched Vipul’s house, family members showed them two bags of identical coal, which were ignored. The same sample was produced in court.

No Lab Report, Just Assumptions

Perhaps the most damning argument against the police action was the absence of a scientific verification report. Modi argued that no sample had yet been sent to a certified lab for testing.

“Scientific testing of such substances is only possible in a specialized laboratory in Kolkata, and the report may take four months. Keeping the accused behind bars for this long, without proof, is against the principles of justice,” Modi said.

Observers noted that the police’s eagerness to label the substance as ambergris — a banned marine product valued more than gold — without immediate expert confirmation has weakened their case.

Court Grants Bail

Taking these arguments into account, the court granted bail to the accused. In its judgment, the court noted that the accused were local residents with no history of absconding and that continued incarceration without a lab confirmation was unjust.

The judge observed that the case now hinges entirely on the Kolkata laboratory report, which will determine whether the substance is indeed ambergris or just coal.

A Blow to Surat Police’s Image

For Surat Police, the episode has become an embarrassment. A seizure trumpeted as a major crackdown on illegal wildlife trade has now been reduced to a matter of disputed evidence. Critics argue that the SOG acted hastily and without proper verification.

A senior advocate following the case remarked, “This incident highlights the dangers of overzealous policing. When the police exaggerate without scientific proof, they risk ruining lives and their own credibility.”

Until the laboratory report arrives, the case will remain in limbo. If the findings confirm the defense’s claim, the Surat Police could face intense scrutiny for wrongful arrest and flawed investigation methods.