In a significant operation conducted as part of a crackdown on illegal liquor, the Excise Department of Balodabazar seized 135 bulk liters of non-duty paid Desi Masala liquor and a four-wheeler. Acting on a tip-off, authorities searched a white i-20 vehicle on the Chourenga to Darchura road. The search revealed a total of 750 pouches of Desi Masala liquor, equivalent to 135 bulk liters. The individuals identified as being in possession of the liquor were Monu alias Girit Verma, son of Sukhnandan Verma, a resident of Chourenga village under Simga police station, and Rakesh Kumar Sen, son of the late Raghunandan Sen. The liquor was found stored in 11 plastic bags (50 pouches each) and one blue bag (200 pouches). The accused were arrested in the presence of witnesses. The market value of the seized liquor is estimated to be around ₹75,000, while the seized i-20 vehicle is valued at ₹5 lakh. Cases have been registered against the accused under sections 34(2), 59(k), and 36 of the Chhattisgarh Excise Act, 1915, and legal proceedings are underway. The operation was led by Assistant District Excise Officer Jalesh Kumar Singh, Excise Sub-Inspectors Manrakhan Netam and Dinesh Kumar Sahu, Excise Head Constable Radha Giri Goswami, and City Soldier Rajkumari Paikra. The District Excise Officer confirmed that the campaign against illegal liquor will continue.
