Punjab Excise Department Cracks Down on Illicit Liquor
Chandigarh, August 31: In a major enforcement drive, the Punjab Excise Department conducted two operations in Ludhiana East on August 30, uncovering a premium liquor refilling racket and intercepting illegally smuggled alcohol.
Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema stated the raids were carried out based on precise intelligence and under the supervision of Excise & Taxation Commissioner Jitendra Jorwal. “These criminals are endangering public health by refilling premium bottles with cheap liquor. Such fraud will not be tolerated,” he said.
The crackdown highlights the department’s firm commitment to safeguarding consumer safety and curbing illegal alcohol circulation in the state.
First Raid Exposes Sophisticated Refilling Racket
In the first operation, officials, assisted by local police, raided a sophisticated setup in Ludhiana. Investigators discovered the accused refilling high-end imported liquor bottles—including Glenlivet, Johnnie Walker Gold Label, and Chivas Regal—with cheaper IMFL and Punjab Medium Liquor (PML).
Two individuals, Amit Vij and Pankaj Saini, were apprehended during the raid. Authorities recovered:
- 106 empty bottles
- 39 refilled bottles
- Bottling accessories
- A Swift Dzire vehicle
An FIR was registered at Police Station Division No. 3, Ludhiana, and further investigations are underway to trace the full network behind the racket.
This operation not only exposed a major fraud scheme but also underscored the risks posed to public health by adulterated alcohol.
Second Operation Targets Smuggled Liquor
On the same day, a separate operation in Village Burma (Samrala) led to the interception of Vikramjeet Singh, found carrying 60 bottles of illicit liquor marked “For Sale in Chandigarh only.”
The consignment was illegally brought into Punjab, prompting Singh’s arrest. A case has been registered under the Punjab Excise Act, 1914 at Police Station Samrala.
These operations reflect the Excise Department’s ongoing effort to dismantle smuggling networks and prevent illegal liquor from reaching consumers.
Strong Warning and Continued Vigilance
Finance Minister Cheema reaffirmed that rigorous enforcement will continue across Punjab. Regular raids, surprise inspections, and coordinated inter-state actions will target bootleggers and smugglers.
He also urged the public to report suspicious activity to the nearest Excise or Police authority, emphasizing that citizen cooperation is crucial in eliminating illicit liquor from the state.
“The Excise Department is committed to protecting public health and ensuring that duty-paid and safe liquor is available to consumers,” Cheema added.