One arretsed for bootlegging, vehicle theft

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, October 18

The crime branch has busted an interstate gang of bootleggers, who were involved in auto theft also, and arrested an accused, Monu Phogat (27), a resident of Rohtak in Haryana, from Dwarka Sector-16. 

Phogat was in a stolen I20 car loaded with four bottles and 24 cartons containing 1,152 quarters of liquor during the time of his arrest, said a police official.

The accused, along with his accomplices, used to supply liquor from Haryana to various parts of Delhi and UP in stolen cars bearing fake number plates. 

Five more stolen cars were also recovered at the instance of Phogat, the official added.

On October 13, the crime branch received information that Monu Phogat would come near IP University in Dwarka in an I20 car with haul of illicit liquor. The accused was successfully intercepted, said DCP Bhisham Singh, Crime Branch (Cyber and FICN).

There are strict provisions in the Delhi Excise Act notified in 2009 that the seized vehicle will not be released to the owner and shall be auctioned. Hence, the accused started using stolen cars for this illegal trade. 

Phogat have said he, along with Ravinder, started stealing cars for bootlegging, added DCP Bhisham Singh.