BHOPAL/The Bhopal Excise Department has seized 552.75 bulk litres of illegally stored and transported Indian and foreign liquor and impounded four vehicles in four separate operations conducted over the past two days as part of its ongoing crackdown on illicit liquor.
The operations were carried out under the direction of Excise Commissioner Deepak Kumar Saxena, Bhopal Collector Priyank Mishra and the guidance of Assistant Excise Commissioner Virendra Singh Dhakad.
In the first operation on July 21, excise officials arrested Rahul Yadav, a repeat offender, near a park in Panchvati, Gandhi Nagar Colony. Acting on a tip-off, officers in plain clothes kept surveillance on the suspect before intercepting his Verna car. The team seized 81 bulk litres of foreign liquor from the vehicle and registered a case under Sections 34(1)(a) and 34(2) of the Madhya Pradesh Excise Act, 1915.
In a follow-up search conducted the same day at the residence of Preeti, wife of Rahul Yadav, in Vikas Kunj, Trilanga, officials recovered 411.75 bulk litres of premium foreign liquor. Three vehicles found in her possession were also seized. A case has been registered under the same provisions of the Excise Act, and further investigation is underway.
In the third operation on July 22, the excise team raided the residence of Chanchal Sahu, recovering 54 bulk litres of premium foreign liquor. Legal action was initiated under the relevant provisions of the Excise Act.
Later the same day, officials intercepted Aniket Shakya in the Barkhedi area while he was allegedly transporting six cartons of country liquor on a scooter. The liquor and the scooter were seized, and a case was registered under Sections 34(1)(a) and 34(2) of the Madhya Pradesh Excise Act.
The department said the raids were conducted by Excise Sub-Inspectors Swati Baghel and Bhranti Saryam, along with Assistant District Excise Officer Archana Jain, with support from other excise officials.
The Excise Department said its special drive against the illegal manufacture, storage and transportation of liquor will continue, warning that strict legal action will be taken against those violating the provisions of the Madhya Pradesh Excise Act.