Jaipur/Udaipur | Excise Department Desk
Under the direct supervision of Excise Commissioner Namit Mehta, the Rajasthan Excise Department has executed one of its most significant operations against illegal liquor smuggling. High-value consignments of Indian-Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL), estimated to be worth ₹1.25 crore, were intercepted in the Udaipur and Hanumangarh districts.
1. Hanumangarh: ₹90 Lakh Stock Hidden Under Industrial Waste
Acting on precise intelligence, the EPF (Excise Preventive Force) intercepted a 12-wheeled truck on the Bharatmala Expressway in the Sangaria sector.
- The Tactic: Smugglers had concealed the liquor beneath hundreds of bags filled with castor seed husks (arandi ka chhilka).
- The Seizure: 1,070 cartons containing 12,840 bottles of Punjab-made whisky (including Royal Challenge, Royal Stag, and All Seasons).
- The Route: The consignment originated in Punjab and was transiting through Rajasthan, destined for Gujarat.
- Arrest: The driver, identified as Mangalaram Bishnoi, was taken into custody.
2. Udaipur: ₹35 Lakh Seizure from ‘Secret Cabin’ Truck
In a separate strategic operation in the Kherwara region, officials intercepted a container truck at the Khandi Obri toll plaza.
- The Tactic: The vehicle featured a sophisticated concealed cabin hidden behind the wheel caps and false walls.
- The Seizure: 330 cartons of Chandigarh-made spirits (market value approx. ₹30 lakh). A second operation in the same area led to the recovery of an additional ₹5 lakh worth of whisky.
- Arrest: The driver, Masri Kodiyatar, a resident of Porbandar, Gujarat, was arrested on the spot.
Commissioner’s Mandate: ‘Zero Tolerance’
Excise Commissioner Namit Mehta has reinforced a “Zero Tolerance” policy across the state. During a recent review, he issued a stern warning to department officials:
- Accountability: Strict departmental action will be taken against officers who fail to effectively curb the illegal manufacturing and smuggling of liquor in their jurisdictions.
- Revenue Protection: Illicit smuggling from neighboring states like Punjab and Haryana causes massive losses to the state treasury. These operations are part of a broader effort to secure government revenue and ensure public safety.
The Operational Team
The successful raids were led by Additional Excise Commissioner Pradeep Singh Sangawat, EPF Deputy Commissioner Pradyuman Singh Chundawat, and District Excise Officer Aadram Dahiya, along with dedicated inspectors and guards from the Kherwara and Sangaria wings.
Follow us on Google News for more updates:
