19 arrested for bootlegging

Amritsar, March 26

In the ongoing drive against drug traffickers and bootleggers, the Amritsar rural police have arrested seven persons who used to steal concentrated alcohol and spirit and later used to sell the same as liquor by way of diluting it.

Those arrested were identified as Shinder Singh of Jheeta village, Angrej Singh of Mardikalan village, Harpreet Singh, Malkeet Singh of Chhapa Ram Singh, Amarjit Singh, Gurwinder Singh of Thoa village and Altaf Khan of Chhindwara village. They were booked under Section 407 (criminal breach of trust) of the IPC and Sections 61 and 114 of the Excise Act. Harpal Singh, investigating officer, said the police received a tip-off that the accused used to steal alcohol from tankers released from the Harchowal Sugar Mill in canters in connivance with drivers and later sold it in villages as liquor which was potentially harmful for consumers.

He said immediately a naka was laid and a canter (bearing registration No. PB-02-BS-9550) was intercepted. During a search, 100 cans containing 35 litres of alcohol each were found. Meanwhile, the city police have arrested 12 persons, including a woman, on the charges of bootlegging and recovered illicit liquor from their possession during search operations being carried out in an anti-drug drive. However, four bootlegger, including a woman, were yet to be arrested. Two of them were released on bail. Those arrested include Balwinder Singh of Maqboolpura, Rashpal Singh and Harnek Singh of Maqboolpura, Hira Singh of Mustafabad, Pargat Singh of Akalgarh Dharpaian village, Virsa Singh, Dilbag Singh and Jagtar Singh of the Guru Ki Wadali area, Salwinder Singh of Gujjarpura, Moni of Himmatpura, Charan Kaur of Circular road near Gate Hakima, and Dharminder Kumar of Katra Dulo. Out of them Pargat and Dharminder were released on bail. The police recovered a total of 247 bottles, 245 kg of lahan and 28 litres of illegal whisky. Those managed to escape include Jasbir Singh of Maqboolpura, Narinder Kaur of Bharariwal, Meshi of Patti Bagge wali in Verka and Kewal Singh of Tehsilpura. — TNS