Excise team destroys 2,600L of illicit liquor in Kullu forest

In one of the largest seizures in recent memory, the Excise Department of Kullu district unearthed and destroyed around 2,600 litres of illicit liquor—locally known as lahan—from a forested area near Chachogi village in Manali subdivision. The illegal distillation units were discovered deep inside the woods, following a tip-off.

Led by Assistant Commissioner Jeevan Lal Vats, the excise team undertook a challenging 8-kilometre uphill trek from Naggar, starting at 1:30 pm and reaching the site around 4:45 pm. Dense vegetation and rugged terrain posed significant hurdles in accessing the remote location, which had been deliberately chosen to avoid detection.

Upon arrival, officials discovered four working stills operating across two secluded spots. Fourteen drums containing approximately 2,600 litres of fermented liquor were found at the site. Due to the absence of suspects and the inability of local witnesses, including the Gram Panchayat president, to reach the area in time, the department was unable to follow the standard seizure protocols requiring independent witnesses.

“Given the remoteness and the logistical difficulty of transporting such large volumes of illicit liquor through dense forest, we made the decision to destroy the material on the spot,” said Assistant Commissioner Vats. “The entire process — including the dismantling of distillation setups — was videographed and immediately reported to senior officials.”

This latest crackdown is part of a broader campaign to curb the rising issue of illegal alcohol production in Himachal Pradesh. Forest zones in the Kullu-Manali belt have become hotspots for such clandestine activities due to their inaccessibility and minimal surveillance. Over the years, raids have revealed that illicit brewers often choose such secluded areas to avoid scrutiny from law enforcement.

Illegally brewed alcohol—though often sold at lower prices—poses serious public health risks due to the absence of quality control. While many locals distill liquor for personal consumption, the expansion of such activities into commercial operations threatens both health and state revenue. Fortunately, no fatalities or poisoning cases have been reported in Kullu so far, but similar incidents in other parts of India have sparked national concern.