Rajasthan anti-illicit liquor drive: 633 cases, 172 arrests in 5 days
Synopsis
In just five days, Rajasthan's Excise Department registered 633 cases, arrested 172 people, and destroyed over 1.4 lakh litres of 'wash' — the raw material that fuels illegal distillation. The scale of the crackdown signals a sharp escalation in the state's battle against a deeply entrenched illicit liquor network spanning more than a dozen districts.
Key Takeaways
The Rajasthan Excise Department registered 633 cases and arrested 172 individuals between 1 May and 5 May 2025 .
Authorities seized 3,169 litres of country liquor (₹8.52 lakh), 798 litres of IMFL (₹7.96 lakh), and 1,199.45 litres of beer (₹2.62 lakh).
Over 1,40,402 litres of 'wash' — a key illegal distillation input — was destroyed across multiple districts.
Nine vehicles were seized and illegal distillation setups were dismantled in Chittorgarh , Bharatpur , Deeg , and Dausa .
Ajmer alone recorded 36 cases and 14 arrests ; the drive covered over 12 districts statewide.
The Rajasthan Excise Department, under the direction of Excise Commissioner Namit Mehta, registered 633 cases and arrested 172 individuals during a special anti-illicit liquor campaign conducted from 1 May to 5 May 2025. The five-day crackdown targeted illegal manufacture, storage, transportation, and sale of liquor across the state, resulting in large-scale seizures, destruction of raw materials, and multiple vehicle confiscations.
Scale of Seizures and Arrests
According to official data, enforcement teams seized nine vehicles — one four-wheeler and eight two-wheelers — during the campaign. Authorities confiscated 3,169 litres of country liquor valued at ₹8.52 lakh, 798 litres of Indian-Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) worth ₹7.96 lakh, and 1,199.45 litres of beer valued at ₹2.62 lakh. In addition, 3,698.5 litres of illicitly distilled liquor was also recovered during the operations.
Destruction of Raw Materials
A significant outcome of the drive was the destruction of 1,40,402 litres of 'wash' — a key raw material used in illegal distillation — across various districts. Excise preventive teams conducted coordinated raids, patrols, and naka bandis throughout the state, adopting what officials described as a zero-tolerance approach. In Bharatpur and Deeg alone, over 11,000 litres of wash and several distillation units were destroyed, while in Dausa, raids led to the destruction of 4,500 litres of wash.
District-Level Action
In Udaipur, officials seized large quantities of beer and arrested two accused, while teams in Gogunda and Kherwara destroyed substantial quantities of wash and illicit liquor. In Chittorgarh district, extensive raids led to the recovery of thousands of liquor pouches and bottles, along with the dismantling of illegal distillation setups. Similar enforcement action was reported from Banswara, Pratapgarh, Hanumangarh, Alwar, Bikaner, Jhalawar, Jodhpur, Barmer, and Ajmer, where teams destroyed wash, seized illicit liquor, and registered multiple cases. Ajmer alone recorded 36 cases and 14 arrests during the campaign period.
Department's Stated Commitment
Officials stated that continuous monitoring, strict enforcement, and coordinated action by zonal and district-level excise teams are ongoing to curb the illegal liquor trade across Rajasthan. The department reiterated its commitment to maintaining strict vigilance and ensuring compliance with excise laws under its zero-tolerance policy. With the campaign now concluded, authorities indicated that sustained patrolling and intelligence-led raids will continue beyond the five-day window to prevent a resurgence of illicit activity.
Point of View
And targeting it disrupts supply chains more effectively than seizing finished product. What remains unclear is whether this is a one-off campaign or the start of sustained enforcement; past drives in Rajasthan and other states have often yielded impressive five-day numbers only to see illicit networks reconstitute within weeks. The real measure will be recidivism rates and whether district-level intelligence infrastructure is being strengthened alongside the raids.
NationPress
8 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the Rajasthan anti-illicit liquor campaign in May 2025?
It was a special five-day preventive drive conducted by the Rajasthan Excise Department from 1 May to 5 May 2025, targeting illegal manufacture, storage, transportation, and sale of liquor across the state. The campaign resulted in 633 cases, 172 arrests, and the destruction of over 1.4 lakh litres of wash.
How many arrests were made during the Rajasthan liquor crackdown?
A total of 172 individuals were arrested during the five-day campaign. Enforcement teams also seized nine vehicles and dismantled multiple illegal distillation setups across districts including Chittorgarh, Bharatpur, and Dausa.
What is 'wash' and why was its destruction significant?
'Wash' is a fermented liquid that serves as the primary raw material in illegal liquor distillation. Destroying 1,40,402 litres of wash across Rajasthan's districts disrupts the supply chain of illicit liquor production at its source, making it harder for illegal operators to resume activity quickly.
Which districts saw the most enforcement action?
Major action was reported across Udaipur, Chittorgarh, Bharatpur, Deeg, Dausa, Ajmer, Banswara, Pratapgarh, Hanumangarh, Alwar, Bikaner, Jhalawar, Jodhpur, and Barmer. Ajmer recorded 36 cases and 14 arrests, while Bharatpur and Deeg together saw over 11,000 litres of wash destroyed.
Who is overseeing the Rajasthan Excise Department's crackdown?
The campaign was conducted under the direction of Excise Commissioner Namit Mehta, with coordinated action by zonal and district-level excise teams operating under a stated zero-tolerance policy against illicit liquor.
