CHANDIGARH-MARKED LIQUOR WAS BEING TRANSPORTED HIDDEN IN A TRUCK IN 2022, TWO ACCUSED ALREADY ARRESTED
(MOREPIC1)Face2News/Panchkula
Panchkula Police, under its ongoing crackdown against illegal liquor smuggling, has arrested another supplier linked to a major case of English liquor smuggling detected in 2022.With this arrest, the total number of accused arrested in the case has risen to three. The gang allegedly procured liquor from Chandigarh and illegally supplied it to Rajasthan.
ACP Crime Arvind Kamboj said that on 4 October 2022, police received secret information that a large truck loaded with illegal liquor was parked near the Panchkula–Zirakpur border, Sector-20, Panchkula. Acting on the tip-off, a team from Crime Branch Sector-26 reached the spot and found the truck abandoned.
During the search, police recovered 667 cases of various brands of English liquor hidden inside POP bags. The liquor cartons bore the stamp “For Sale in Chandigarh”.
Following this, a case was registered at Police Station Sector-20, Panchkula under Section 61(1)(a) of the Haryana Excise Amendment Act. During the investigation, a team led by Inspector Dalip Singh, In-charge, Crime Branch Sector-26, arrested the third accused supplier Jala Ram, a resident of Jodhpur district, Rajasthan, on 29 January. The accused was produced before the court and has been remanded to four days of police custody. During remand, further information regarding other associate suppliers is expected to be obtained, leading to more arrests.
Two liquor smugglers already arrested: Earlier, police had arrested Sujana Ram, a resident of Barmer, Rajasthan, on 13 October 2022, who was sent to judicial custody after four days of police remand. Another accused, Shekhar alias Chandrashekhar alias Raju, was arrested on 16 June 2023.
DCP Crime & Traffic Manpreet Singh Sudan stated that this is an organized gang involved in purchasing liquor from Chandigarh and supplying it illegally to Rajasthan. Some accused are still absconding, and police teams are conducting continuous raids to trace them. He added that Panchkula Police will continue strict action against illegal liquor smuggling and will not spare anyone involved in violating the law.