05 June,2026 09:45 PM IST | Pune | Archana Dahiwal
Maharashtra Excise Department officials with an accused and the seized items during a crackdown on illicit liquor in Pune. PIC/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Following the suspected methanol liquor tragedy that claimed nearly 20 lives in Pune's Phugewadi, Dapodi and Hadapsar areas, the Maharashtra Excise Department launched a massive crackdown between May 29 and June 4, seizing illicit liquor and related material worth Rs 1.47 crore, Excise Superintendent Atul Kanade said.
The intensified operation was conducted under the guidance and directives of State Excise Commissioner Rajesh Deshmukh, Joint Commissioner (Enforcement and Vigilance) Prasad Surve, and Pune Divisional Deputy Commissioner Sagar Dhomkar.
During the week-long operation, officials registered 142 cases and arrested 116 persons. They seized 8,472 litres of country liquor and 11,733 litres of non-duty-paid and spurious liquor sourced from other states. Authorities also destroyed 69,271 litres of chemical wash used in illicit liquor production and impounded 11 vehicles allegedly used for transportation.
Cases registered: 142
Arrests made: 116
Country liquor seized: 8,472 litres
Raw material destroyed: 69,271 litres of chemical wash (destroyed on the spot)
Non-duty paid/spurious liquor seized: 11,733 litres (from other states)
Vehicles impounded: 11 vehicles used for illegal transportation
Superintendent Kanade stated that instructions have been issued to completely dismantle all illegal distillation units operating in manufacturing and sales hotspots. Furthermore, raw material suppliers fuelling these illegal units are now being booked as co-accused in these crimes.
To deter repeat offenders, 125 proposals have been filed to execute good behaviour bonds under Section 93 of the Maharashtra Prohibition Act, 1949.
The criminal case related to the suspected methanol liquor deaths has been transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). The State Excise Department, which had previously registered three cases related to the incident, is actively co-investigating the matter alongside the CID.
In a bid to intensify pressure on bootleggers, District Collector Gajanan Patil has initiated a multi-agency crackdown:
Demolition of illegal structures: The municipal commissioners of Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, along with the chief officers of municipal councils and nagar panchayats, have been requested to demolish illegal structures at spots flagged for illicit liquor activities.
Public awareness: Garbage collection vans ('ghanta gadi') will broadcast audio messages warning citizens about the fatal dangers of spurious liquor.
Tighter bonds: Sub-divisional magistrates and police commissioners of Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) have been urged to enforce high-value monetary bonds under Section 93 against habitual offenders.
The notice has been issued to gram panchayat sarpanchs, gram sevaks and talathis to report local illegal manufacturing units and prevent the misuse of government land for illicit trades.
MSEDCL has been directed to disconnect electricity connections linked to persons allegedly involved in the illicit liquor trade. Additionally, jaggery traders suspected of supplying raw materials to bootleggers have been issued notices under Section 168.
The Excise Department has coordinated with the Joint Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to obtain a comprehensive list of all authorised methanol licence holders and suppliers in Pune district.
Excise officials have personally served notices to these entities under Section 168 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). The FDA has also been requested to audit the transaction records of methanol suppliers to ensure no leakages occur into the illegal liquor market, warning of stringent action against violators.
State Excise Superintendent Atul Kanade urged citizens to stay away from illegal country liquor and appealed to the public to report information regarding illegal liquor manufacturing or trade through the department's toll-free helpline, 1800-233-9999, or landline 020-26127321.
He said the identity of informants would be kept strictly confidential.
