Delhi Police bust illicit liquor racket, seize 57 boxes and arrest bootlegger
Synopsis
Delhi Police intercepted a vehicle loaded with 2,836 quarters of illicit liquor — Royal Green Whisky and Desi Sharab — at Jheel Khurd Picket in Maidan Garhi, arresting a repeat offender with over five prior excise cases. The bust signals tightening enforcement on Delhi's interstate liquor supply chain.
Key Takeaways
Delhi Police's South District team seized 57 boxes (2,836 quarters) of illicit liquor in Maidan Garhi on 1 July .
The consignment included 7 boxes of Royal Green Whisky and 50 boxes of Desi Sharab .
Arrested: Balraj alias Balle , 39 , of Badi Bhati Kalan — reportedly linked to more than five prior Delhi Excise Act cases.
One car used for transportation was seized; a case under the Delhi Excise Act has been registered.
Investigation is underway to trace the liquor's source, the vehicle's ownership, and the broader smuggling network.
Delhi Police's South District team dismantled an interstate liquor smuggling operation in the Maidan Garhi area on Wednesday, 1 July, recovering 57 boxes containing 2,836 quarters of country-made and IMFL liquor and arresting a habitual bootlegger. The crackdown was carried out by personnel from Police Post Bhati Mines during intensified checking at the Jheel Khurd Picket.
How the Operation Unfolded
The police team intercepted a vehicle transporting what officials described as a large consignment of illicit liquor intended for illegal sale across New Delhi. The car used to ferry the contraband was also seized on the spot. The operation was led by Sub Inspector Vinod Bhati, Inspector-in-Charge of PP Bhati Mines, alongside ASI Rajbir, Head Constable Rakesh, HC Anil Kumar, HC Jitender Kumar, and HC Harish Chander, under the supervision of the Station House Officer of Police Station Maidan Garhi and overall monitoring by the ACP, Mehrauli.
What Was Seized
According to the official press release, the recovered consignment comprised 7 boxes (336 quarters) of Royal Green Whisky and 50 boxes (2,500 quarters) of Desi Sharab — totalling 2,836 quarters across 57 boxes. The liquor was reportedly sourced from outside Delhi and was destined for illegal distribution within the city.
The Accused: A Repeat Offender
The arrested individual has been identified as Balraj alias Balle, 39, son of Hansa Ram, a resident of Badi Bhati Kalan, New Delhi. According to police, Balraj has a prior criminal history and is reportedly involved in more than five cases under the Delhi Excise Act, marking him as a habitual offender in excise-related crimes. A case under relevant provisions of the Delhi Excise Act has been registered against him.
Investigation and What Comes Next
Authorities said the investigation is ongoing, with focus on tracing the source of the illicit liquor, establishing the ownership of the seized vehicle, and mapping the wider smuggling network behind the racket. Officials noted that sustained vigilance and continuous checking at the picket point were directly responsible for the bust. The South District police indicated that further arrests are possible as the supply chain is probed in depth.
Point of View
But the profile of the accused is telling — over five prior excise cases, yet still operating. That pattern raises questions about whether the Delhi Excise Act's deterrence provisions are working or whether repeat offenders are cycling through the system with minimal disruption to their networks. The real investigative test is not the seizure but whether police can roll up the supply chain behind it. Interstate liquor smuggling into Delhi has historically been difficult to dismantle at source because the economics — cheap manufacture, high retail margin — keep the trade viable even with periodic arrests at the distribution end.
NationPress
1 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Delhi Police seize in the Maidan Garhi liquor bust?
Delhi Police seized 57 boxes containing 2,836 quarters of illicit liquor — comprising 7 boxes of Royal Green Whisky and 50 boxes of Desi Sharab — during a vehicle check at Jheel Khurd Picket in Maidan Garhi on 1 July. The car used to transport the consignment was also seized.
Who was arrested in the Delhi illicit liquor case?
The arrested person is Balraj alias Balle, 39, a resident of Badi Bhati Kalan, New Delhi. According to police, he has a prior criminal history and is reportedly involved in more than five cases under the Delhi Excise Act.
Which police team conducted the Maidan Garhi liquor operation?
The operation was carried out by staff of Police Post Bhati Mines, Police Station Maidan Garhi, led by Sub Inspector Vinod Bhati, under the supervision of the SHO Maidan Garhi and monitored by the ACP, Mehrauli.
What charges have been filed in the case?
A case under the relevant provisions of the Delhi Excise Act has been registered against the accused. Further investigation is ongoing to identify other members of the smuggling network.
What is the current status of the investigation?
Police are actively investigating the source of the illicit liquor, the ownership of the seized vehicle, and the wider supply chain behind the racket. Additional arrests are possible as the probe progresses.
