Excise Department Cracks Down on Illicit Liquor Network After Methanol Tragedy in Pune, 142 Cases Registered and 116 Arrested In A Week
Pune, 5th June 2026: In the wake of the suspected methanol-laced country liquor tragedy in Pune’s Phugewadi, Dapodi and Hadapsar areas that claimed several lives, the state excise department has launched a major crackdown on illicit liquor manufacturing and distribution across the district.
According to the officials at Pune division of the State Excise Department, 142 offences were registered and 116 persons arrested between May 29 and June 4 as part of a special enforcement drive ordered after the deaths linked to the consumption of spurious liquor.
The operation was carried out under the guidance of State Excise Commissioner Rajesh Deshmukh, Additional Commissioner (Enforcement and Vigilance) Prasad Surve and Divisional Deputy Commissioner Sagar Dhomkar. Pune Excise Superintendent Atul Kanade led the district-level action.
Officials said they seized 8,472 litres of illicit country liquor and destroyed 69,271 litres of raw material used for its manufacture. The department also confiscated 11,733 litres of liquor, including suspected counterfeit and out-of-state stock, and seized 11 vehicles allegedly used for illegal transportation. The total value of the seized material is estimated at Rs 1.47 crore.
The department has directed officers to dismantle illicit distillation units in identified hotspots and sensitive villages. Raw material suppliers linked to illegal liquor manufacturing are also being booked as accused in relevant cases.
As part of preventive measures, excise authorities have initiated 125 proposals under Section 93 of the Maharashtra Prohibition Act, 1949, seeking good-conduct bonds from habitual offenders.
The case relating to deaths caused by the consumption of methanol-mixed liquor has been transferred to the Crime Investigation Department (CID). Excise officials said three cases registered by the department in connection with the incident are being investigated in coordination with the CID.
The Pune district administration has also sought assistance from the Pune Municipal Corporation and Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation to create awareness about the dangers of spurious liquor through public announcements. Civic bodies have been requested to take demolition action against illegal structures linked to illicit liquor activities.
Notices have also been issued to gram panchayats, village functionaries and local revenue officials, asking them to report illegal liquor manufacturing and prevent the use of government land for such activities. Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (MSEDCL) has been asked to disconnect authorised or unauthorised power connections used for illicit liquor operations.
In addition, excise officials have obtained details of methanol licence holders and suppliers in Pune district from the Food and Drug Administration. Preventive notices have been served on these entities under relevant legal provisions, and authorities have been urged to closely scrutinise methanol transactions to prevent diversion for illegal purposes.
The State Excise Department has appealed to citizens to stay away from illicit liquor and share information about illegal manufacturing or sale through its toll-free helpline 1800-233-9999 or by calling 020-26127329.
