Delhi Police seize 76 cartons of illicit liquor, arrest bootlegger in West District
Synopsis
Delhi Police's West District Special Staff busted a bootlegging operation within two days of a prior seizure, recovering 76 cartons of illicit liquor and arresting a suspect who allegedly made 10–12 prior deliveries across the capital. Investigators are now tracing an associate and the wider supply chain behind the racket.
Key Takeaways
Delhi Police's West District Special Staff seized 76 cartons of illicit liquor on Wednesday near Rajdhani College, New Delhi .
The bust came just two days after a separate seizure of 31 cartons , signalling intensified anti-bootlegging operations.
Accused Mahender , 44, of Jahangir Puri , was arrested and has been sent to judicial custody .
He allegedly made 10–12 prior illicit liquor deliveries across Delhi before his arrest.
An associate identified as Ashu of Swaroop Nagar reportedly arranged the consignment and vehicle; efforts to apprehend him are ongoing.
A case under Sections 33/38/58 of the Delhi Excise Act has been registered at Rajouri Garden Police Station .
Delhi Police's Special Staff of the West District on Wednesday intercepted and arrested an alleged bootlegger transporting a large consignment of illicit liquor near Rajdhani College in New Delhi. The operation resulted in the seizure of 76 cartons of illegal liquor and the vehicle used to ferry the consignment — the second major bust in the area within two days.
How the Operation Unfolded
On 10 May, police received credible intelligence about a vehicle carrying a sizeable liquor consignment moving from the Punjabi Bagh Flyover towards the Rajdhani College area. The information was verified and escalated to senior officers before a dedicated team was assembled.
The team, led by Inspector Rajesh Maurya, in charge of Special Staff, and comprising Sub Inspector Manish, ASI Manoj, ASI Ramesh Chand, Head Constable Dinesh, and HC Sandeep, operated under the supervision of ACP/Operations Vijay Singh. The team laid a strategic trap near Rajdhani College, and at around 5:40 pm, intercepted the suspect vehicle. When signalled to stop, the driver allegedly attempted to flee but was overpowered after a brief chase.
The Accused and the Seized Consignment
The arrested individual was identified as Mahender, a 44-year-old resident of Jahangir Puri, Delhi. Police recovered 76 cartons of illicit liquor from the vehicle, including brands labelled
Point of View
Arrests at the delivery end will remain a game of whack-a-mole. The Delhi Excise Act charges filed are standard, but the real test is whether investigators can work upstream to dismantle the syndicate rather than just its couriers.
NationPress
11 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Delhi Police seize in the West District liquor bust?
Delhi Police seized 76 cartons of illicit liquor, including country-made brands 'Desi Santra' and 'Murthal No.1', along with the vehicle used for transportation. The seizure was made near Rajdhani College in New Delhi.
Who was arrested in the Delhi illicit liquor case?
The arrested individual is Mahender, a 44-year-old resident of Jahangir Puri, Delhi. He has been sent to judicial custody after a case was registered at Rajouri Garden Police Station under the Delhi Excise Act.
How does this seizure relate to earlier Delhi Police action?
This bust came just two days after a separate West District operation in which 31 cartons of illicit liquor were recovered from a car, indicating an intensified crackdown on bootlegging networks in the capital.
Who else is being investigated in connection with the case?
An associate identified as Ashu, a resident of Swaroop Nagar, Delhi, allegedly arranged the liquor consignment and the vehicle. Police are actively working to trace and apprehend him along with others in the supply chain.
What charges have been filed in the case?
A case has been registered under Sections 33, 38, and 58 of the Delhi Excise Act at Rajouri Garden Police Station. Further investigation is ongoing to identify the full supply chain and the source of procurement.
