730 held for liquor smuggling over 5 months as new excise policy takes shape
The Delhi Excise Department has arrested 730 individuals for illegal liquor smuggling over the past five months as part of a crackdown. The government is currently developing a new excise policy aimed at improving public safety and revenue while ensuring legal availability during the festive season.
Why it matters
The illegal liquor trade remains a major regulatory and political challenge in Delhi, impacting both public health and government tax revenue.
The Excise Department of the Delhi government on Sunday announced that it arrested 730 people and registered 725 FIRs over the last five months, seizing 2.20 lakh bottles of illegal liquor and 197 vehicles in a major bid to crack down on the illegal liquor trade in the Capital.
Reacting to the development, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said that the Delhi government was following a zero-tolerance policy towards the illegal liquor trade and was working on an effective excise policy.
“The government is working on a new excise policy aimed at strengthening public safety, ensuring responsible regulation of the liquor trade, maintaining quality and increasing government revenue,” the CM said.
In the corresponding period from April to August in the financial year 2025-26, the department had arrested 312 people, registered 315 FIRs, recovered around one lakh bottles of illegal liquor, and seized 112 vehicles.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in