Pune: The Maharashtra State Excise Department on Friday busted an alleged counterfeit liquor racket operating in Pune and neighbouring Ahilyanagar districts and seized liquor stock worth Rs 11.55 lakh. Three people were arrested in connection with the case, Hindustan Times reported. The action came just days ahead of Diwali, when demand for liquor typically surges.

Source: Hindustan Times via Inshorts

Acting on a tip-off about fake liquor stored at Bangarwadi in Belhe village of Junnar taluka, a team from the Pune division of the State Excise Department raided the premises. Officials seized 96 bottles of Royal Stag whisky, which allegedly carried fake caps and labels, along with 5,040 bottles of GM Santra country liquor. The stock recovered from this location was valued at Rs 4.27 lakh, The CSR Journal reported.

Source: The CSR Journal

Three men were arrested during the operation: Sachin Ganpat Gadge, 40, and Tahir Yusuf Shaikh, 43, both from Nimgaon Sawa in Junnar taluka, and Sagar Ramdas Borude, 27, a resident of Parner. The men are accused in the case; the allegations against them have not been proven in court.

Source: The CSR Journal

Information allegedly provided by the arrested men then led officials to a second stockpile at Alkuti village in Parner taluka of Ahilyanagar district. The follow-up raid recovered 1,392 bottles of Royal Stag whisky and 1,728 bottles of Imperial Blue whisky, also reportedly carrying counterfeit caps and labels, worth an estimated Rs 7.28 lakh. Together, the two seizures total Rs 11.55 lakh.

Source: The CSR Journal

A case has been registered against the three arrested men under the Maharashtra Prohibition Act, 1949. The Excise Department said the investigation is continuing to establish where the counterfeit liquor came from, how it was to be distributed, and whether more people are involved. Officials said action against fake liquor is stepped up during the festive season to protect consumers, as counterfeit stock can pose a serious health risk.