Man arrested with 700 bottles of illicit liquor

A 33-year-old man has been arrested in east Delhi for allegedly transporting 700 bottles of illicit country-made liquor labelled “For Sale in Haryana Only”, police said on Sunday.

The accused, identified as Rahul, a resident of Trilokpuri, was apprehended by a team from the Special Staff of East District Police during a patrol near the Noida Link Road–Akshardham U-turn on the night of August 9.

According to police, the team, led by Inspector Jitendra Malik and supervised by ACP (Operations) Pawan Kumar, spotted Rahul pushing a rickshaw loaded with cartons concealed under a blanket. On seeing the police, he allegedly attempted to avoid notice. His suspicious behaviour prompted officers to stop and question him.

A case under Sections 33 and 58 of the Delhi Excise Act has been registered at Pandav Nagar police station. Investigators are examining Rahul’s criminal background and the source of the liquor.

During preliminary questioning, Rahul allegedly told police he had turned to the illegal liquor trade due to financial hardship and irregular earnings from labour work. He claimed he was lured by the promise of quick money and steady demand for cheap liquor in the city.

The seized liquor has been taken into custody and further investigation is under way.