The Excise Department on Tuesday uncovered an illegal liquor home delivery operation in Bhopal, seizing 142 bottles of English liquor hidden in a secret basement beneath a kitchen. The raid followed a 10-day surveillance effort.
The accused, Suresh Patil, a resident of Gopal Nagar Khajurikala, was apprehended after excise officials received a tip-off about unauthorized liquor distribution across parts of the city.
According to Assistant Excise Commissioner Virendra Singh Dhakad, the operation revealed that Suresh had constructed a concealed basement where he stored 116 litres of liquor. The liquor was allegedly purchased at discounted prices from license holders offloading inventory due to contract changes effective from April 1.
Suresh reportedly resold the liquor at inflated prices through a home delivery network involving several associates. The department is now working to trace the wider supply chain and identify others involved in the illicit trade.
Notably, Suresh is a repeat offender with multiple previous cases registered against him. Authorities are investigating the duration of the racket and the original sources of the seized liquor.
