Archive · 20 Jul 2026
Gujarat Forest Officer, Smuggler Die in Chase Collision
A forest officer in Gujarat was chasing a car full of illegal wood.
The car and the officer's vehicle both crashed into a truck.
Sadly, both the officer and one of the people in the car died.
The officer was trying to stop the smugglers from taking wood from the forest.
The minister said the officer was very brave and his death is a big loss.
The police are investigating what happened.
Range Forest Officer Vikas Desai died while chasing smugglers transporting illegal kher logs.
The smugglers' Innova and Desai's Bolero both collided with a parked container truck.
One smuggler, Rihan Gamit, died in the crash, and kher logs were scattered on the road.
Senior forest officials and police responded to the scene, conducting post mortem and registering a case.
Forest Minister Arjun Modhwadia expressed grief and announced a thorough investigation under a 'zero tolerance' policy.
- Who
- Range Forest Officer Vikas Desai and smuggler Rihan Gamit
- What
- Collision between vehicles during a chase
- When
- Early hours of Monday, July 20
- Where
- Tapi district, Gujarat
- Why
- Desai was chasing smugglers transporting illegal kher logs
Forest Protection
Smuggler's Actions
Forest Protection
Forest Protection
Forest officers are risking their lives to protect forest resources and nature.
Smuggler's Actions
Smugglers are engaging in illegal activities that damage forest resources.
- Date
- July 20
- Location
- Tapi district, Gujarat
- Victims
- Range Forest Officer Vikas Desai and smuggler Rihan Gamit
- Vehicle Involved
- Innova (smugglers), Bolero (forest officer), container truck
- Time of Incident
- 3 AM
- Action Taken
- Case registered, post mortem conducted, investigation initiated
- Minister's Statement
- Arjun Modhwadia expressed grief and called it an irreparable loss