Pune Division of Excise Department Seizes Liquor Worth Rs 31.23 Lakh in Ahilyanagar and Dharashiv
Ahilyanagar, 28th December 2024: The Pune Division of the Maharashtra State Excise Department has seized liquor and items worth ₹31.23 lakh in Ahilyanagar and Dharashiv districts. With the upcoming New Year’s Eve celebrations, where alcohol consumption typically increases, the Excise and Police Administration across the state are actively cracking down on illegal activities.
According to Excise Deputy Commissioner Sagar Dhomkar, a raid was conducted in Arangaon of Jamkhed Taluka, Ahilyanagar District, where a Mahindra Scorpio was found transferring liquor to a Maruti Suzuki Dzire. Upon inspection, 324 sealed whiskey bottles of 750 ml each, stored in 27 boxes, were discovered in the vehicles. The seized liquor and vehicles were valued at ₹16.72 lakh, informed Deputy Commissioner Dhomkar.
Further investigation led to another seizure in Dharashiv District, where 216 sealed whiskey bottles of 750 ml each and additional vehicles worth ₹14.50 lakh were confiscated. The total value of the seized items in both cases amounted to ₹31.23 lakh.
A case has been registered under the relevant sections of the Maharashtra Prohibition Act of 1949 against Deepak Atmaram Khedkar, Bharat Shahaji Ralebhat, Manoj Dattatray Raipalli, Dattatraya Gangadhar Sonawane from Ahilyanagar, and Shastragun alias Shatrun Navanth Kirdak and Kailas Anna Jogdand. Liquor smuggling from Goa is on the rise due to its cheaper rates compared to Maharashtra.
This action was carried out by a team led by Excise Inspector Narendra Thorat, which included Excise Sub Inspectors Viraj Mane, and Excise Constables Dheeraj Saste, Pratap Kadam, Satish Paundhe, Shashikant Bhat, Ranjeet Chavan, Anil Thorat, Amol Dalvi, and Rahul Taralkar. The Excise Department has appealed to the public that similar actions will continue against those involved in the illegal liquor trade. Anyone with information about illegal liquor activities is urged to contact the Excise Office at 020-29911986.
