Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: In a major crackdown on illegal liquor trade, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar police commissioner Pravin Pawar has recommended cancellation of licences of seven liquor vendors after they were repeatedly found supplying liquor in wholesale quantities to unauthorised sellers.
“The action was taken as part of an ongoing drive launched against illegal liquor trade within the commissionerate limits,” police commissioner Pawar said, adding that investigations by a special police team revealed clear violations of licence conditions.
According to police findings, the seven licenced vendors had allegedly been supplying Indian-made foreign liquor and country liquor in bulk, aiding illegal retail networks. Police records show that 13 criminal cases have been registered against the licence holders in the past for offences linked to illegal distribution and wholesale supply.
Based on these findings, Pawar wrote to the district collector on June 2, recommending cancellation of the vendors’ licences. Officials said the recommendation followed confirmation that the licence holders had breached prescribed conditions on multiple occasions.
DCP (crime)
Prashant Mohite said that licenced liquor shops must strictly adhere to excise norms. “Any diversion of liquor stock for illegal retail sale constitutes a serious violation,” he said.
Inspector (crime) Gajanan Kalyankar said that the commissionerate has been carrying out sustained enforcement against illicit liquor activity. “We will continue to monitor licenced establishments suspected of aiding illegal liquor networks,” he said.
The police have also issued a warning that stringent action will continue against vendors found supplying liquor to unauthorised sellers. Officials added that similar proposals for licence cancellation will be initiated in future cases where violations are detected.