Buxar GRP Busts Liquor Smuggling Network, Four arrested including woman

Buxar: The Government Railway Police (GRP) has cracked a liquor smuggling network and arrested four people, including a woman, in connection with the May 27 incident in which smugglers allegedly pulled the emergency chain of a moving train and scuffled with Excise Department personnel before fleeing.

Addressing a press conference on Sunday, Railway DSP Kanchan Raj said the breakthrough came after a detailed investigation into the case. According to the DSP, the Buxar Prohibition Team had received specific information that liquor smugglers were transporting consignments from Uttar Pradesh to Patna aboard the Lokmanya Tilak–Bhagalpur Express (12336 Down). Acting on the tip-off, the team boarded the train and identified the suspects.

As the train was passing between Dumraon and Kushalpur Harnaha Halt, the smugglers allegedly sensed the presence of the police and pulled the emergency chain to stop the train. They then got off and attempted to escape. When the Prohibition Team chased them, the accused allegedly pushed and abused police personnel before fleeing.

Following the incident, Railway SP Anant Kumar Rai constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) under the leadership of Railway DSP Kanchan Raj. Based on a complaint lodged by Prohibition Department ASI Sanjeet Tiwari, an FIR was registered at the Buxar GRP police station and an investigation was launched.

During the probe, police first arrested Khushboo alias Jahana Khatoon (20), a native of Vaishali district who was living in a rented house in Anisabad, Patna. During interrogation, she allegedly confessed to transporting liquor from Uttar Pradesh and supplying it across Bihar for several months. Based on her disclosures, police arrested Ankit Kumar of Jehanabad,
Virendra Kumar Rai alias Lalu (47) of Saran, and Ranjan Sharma (50) of Nalanda.

Investigations revealed that Jahana Khatoon procured liquor consignments and handed them over to Ankit Kumar, who supplied them to smaller smugglers. Jahana and Ankit were living in the same rented accommodation in Patna and were arrested near the Punpun four-lane road. Police said Virendra Kumar Rai and Ranjan Sharma purchased liquor from
Ankit and further distributed it through the network. Both already have cases registered against them under the Excise Act.

The GRP recovered five Android mobile phones, one keypad phone, two motorcycles and 3.270 litres of foreign liquor from the arrested accused. The investigation further revealed that the network had links to Dildarnagar in Uttar Pradesh, from where liquor was loaded onto trains and transported to different districts of Bihar.

The DSP said the police have identified other accused involved in pulling the emergency chain and obstructing police action. Raids are underway to arrest the remaining members of the gang.