PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE /Dehradun
The Excise department has busted a liquor supply network allegedly delivering imported liquor to college students staying in paying guests (PGs) and hostels in the Premnagar area. The department arrested Aditya, a native of Haryana, from his rented room in Bidholi on Thursday and recovered around 10 boxes of imported liquor.
The action was carried out by a team led by excise inspector Diwakar Chaudhary. Officials said Aditya had rented the room a few days ago and was preparing to supply liquor to students in the area. The liquor was seized and Aditya was arrested.
During questioning, the accused is stated to have revealed the name of Garvit (25) alias Vikrant. A law student at a private university, he originally hails from Haryana. The Excise department officials engaged in the action said that he was running the network and supplying cheaper liquor brought from Delhi and Haryana.
They further said that a rate card had been distributed among PGs and hostels to take orders. Deliveries were allegedly made on scooters. A WhatsApp group was also used to share delivery locations and payment details.
The department said that Garvit allegedly hired local youths aged between 18 to 25 years as delivery workers and paid them about Rs 15,000 a month.
Garvit surrendered before the CJM court on October 7 after failing to get anticipatory bail. The court subsequently sent him to jail.
The investigation into the network began on August 25, when the Excise department impounded a car and two scooters allegedly used for liquor smuggling in Bidholi. A large quantity of liquor and beer was recovered. Two suspected smugglers were arrested during the action.
