Police Crack Down on Liquor Adulteration Racket in Maharashtra

Authorities in Maharashtra's Palghar district have dismantled a liquor adulteration operation, arresting Dharmaraj Babulal Nishad and seizing illicit stock valued at Rs 12 lakh. The culprit allegedly mixed chemicals with cheap liquor and sold it as premium brands, leading to his arrest under various legal provisions.

Authorities in Maharashtra's Palghar district have successfully dismantled a significant liquor adulteration operation, following the arrest of one individual and the seizure of merchandise valued at Rs 12 lakh. An official disclosed these developments on Saturday.

The arrest followed an informed tip-off that prompted a raid by the MBVV police's crime branch at a chawl in Nalasopara on Thursday. The operation led to the apprehension of Dharmaraj Babulal Nishad, aged 55, who is alleged to have procured inexpensive liquor from regions like Diu-Daman and Goa, to adulterate them with chemicals disguised in bottles of reputed high-end alcohol brands.

According to senior inspector Aviraj Kurhade, law enforcement officials seized 368 bottles of varying sizes, ostensibly filled with high-end liquor, and other related materials. Legal proceedings are underway with charges filed under provisions of the Maharashtra Prohibition Act, 1949, and relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

(With inputs from agencies.)