Canadian Youth Gets Refund After Gujarat Police GP-SMASH Action

Vadodara | Gujarat —  In a striking example of technology-driven policing, a young man living in Canada recovered his booking deposit from a Vadodara businessman within hours, thanks to the swift intervention of Gujarat Police under its innovative GP-SMASH (Gujarat Police – Social Media Monitoring, Awareness and Systematic Handling) initiative.

Ayush, the complainant, had booked wedding clothes worth ₹75,000 from a Vadodara businessman. When the booking was cancelled, the businessman refused to return the deposit. Being abroad, Ayush had no way to personally pursue the matter. Left with no choice, he posted his grievance on the official X (Twitter) account of Gujarat Police and the Gujarat Director General of Police (DGP) on August 28, 2025.

Within hours, Gujarat Police’s GP-SMASH team swung into action. PSI Rahul Singh Chudasama of the Gandhinagar-based state team immediately flagged the issue and coordinated with Vadodara Police. Despite the nine-and-a-half-hour time difference between India and Canada, officers contacted Ayush at night to obtain complete details. The case was quickly assigned to the J.P. Road Police Station, which reached out to the businessman. Under police scrutiny, the businessman refunded ₹65,000 to the Canadian youth the very next day.

Ayush expressed his gratitude, stating that he had “lost hope of recovering the money” but Gujarat Police’s proactive response “restored faith in the system.”

State Police Chief Vikas Sahay praised the coordinated effort, congratulating both the GP-SMASH state team and Vadodara Police for setting an example of responsive governance. “GP-SMASH is not just a social media initiative—it is about bridging the gap between citizens and the police in real time,” he said.

The project, launched on March 1, 2025, under the direction of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghvi, has been operating round-the-clock in three shifts. Supervised by Law and Order DIG Deepak Meghani, the GP-SMASH state team has already handled more than 650 complaints. Most issues have been resolved within hours, ensuring citizens receive timely redressal without bureaucratic delays.

An official from the GP-SMASH team explained, “Social media is where people voice concerns today. By monitoring it 24×7, we can act fast, reassure citizens, and deliver justice—even across borders.”

This incident highlights how Gujarat Police is using technology not just for surveillance or crime detection, but for everyday citizen support. For residents at home and abroad, the message is clear: one tweet is enough to ensure the state police listens, responds, and acts.