Reportedly, Lovelesh Verma who is the son of Rajesh Kumar Verma was apprehended in the parking area of Hotel Regal Blu which is located at the Chandigarh Road.
The Excise and Taxation Department officials on Tuesday evening busted a major liquor bottles racket in Ludhiana. This involved refilling premium liquor bottles with cheaper Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) brands.
Excise Inspectors Amandeep Singh, Navdeep Singh and Amit Goyal along with Excise Police Staff and Personnel from Moti Nagar Police station carried out the raid.
Reportedly, Lovelesh Verma who is the son of Rajesh Kumar Verma was apprehended in the parking area of Hotel Regal Blu which is located at the Chandigarh Road. He allegedly was caught refilling branded liquor bottles with low-cost liquor for resale.
While he was interrogated, the accused disclosed that more empty bottles which are to be refilled are stored at his residence in the Civil Lines areas, Kundan Puri.
Following the accused’s statements, officials conducted a follow-up raid at his house, leading to the recovery of a large number of empty bottles of premium brands, bottles of cheaper liquor, and the caps used for resealing.
Officials further reported that the investigations are underway to ascertain the scale of an operation and identify other persons involved in the racket. Authorities are also verifying distribution links and possible supply chains linked to the accused.
While at the raid, there were 80 empty and 51 refilled bottles found. The list to refilled bottles is as follows-
- Glenfidich 12 Year: 13 Bottles
- Gold Label: 6 Bottles
- Monkey Shoulder: 1 Bottle
- Johnie Walker 18 Year: 6 Bottles
- Macalan: 6 Bottles
- Singleton: 1 Bottle
- Black Label: 6 Bottles
- Chivas Regal 18 Year: 12 Bottles
The list to empty bottles is as follows-
- Master Blander’s Signature Premier: 39 Bottles
- Royal Stag: 14 Bottles
- The Singleton: 4 Bottles
- Ciroc Vodka: 6 Bottles
- Absolut Vodka: 6 Bottles
- The Macallan 12 Year: 2 Bottles
- The Macallan Quest: 1 Ltr 1 Bottle
- Chivas Regal: 4 Bottles
- The Glenlivit 18 Year: 1 Bottle
- Jameson: 1 Bottle
- Glanfiddich 15 Year: 1 Bottle
- XR 21 Year: 1 Bottle
The complaint has notably been registered at Police Station Moti Nagar. Jitendra Jorwal who is the Excise and Taxation Commissioner mentioned that there was zero tolerance for such unethical activities, the enforcement activities are dedicated to curb the menace of illicit liquor, spurious liquor and illegal smuggled liquor both within and outside the state.
