Ambergris or Coal? Surat police faces court scrutiny

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 Rs5.5 crore has been challenged in court.

- FPJ News Service

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. During arguments, defense lawyer Feni! 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.