Nagpur: In a swift operation linked to the upcoming assembly elections, the Maharashtra State Excise Department seized a substantial cache of imported Scotch along with other materials valued at Rs 37.71 lakh in Nagpur. Acting on a tip-off, the department launched the raid in the Sitabuldi police jurisdiction, confiscating the contraband from a vehicle parked near a girls’ school in Dharampeth, outside the residence of Nilay Ashok Gadekar.

The liquor, intended for sale in Haryana and prohibited in Maharashtra, was being offloaded from a Toyota Fortuner (MH 46 BK 6492) at the location. Among the seized items were 71 sealed bottles of premium brands, including Red Label, Black Label, Jebson, and Ballantine.

The operation was led under the guidance of Excise Commissioner Dr. Vijay Suryavanshi, District Collector Dr. Vipin Itankar, and senior excise officials including Director of Enforcement and Vigilance Prasad Surve, Deputy Commissioner Anil Chaskar, and Superintendent Surajkumar Ramod.

In addition to the liquor, the vehicle and mobile phones were seized, totaling a value of Rs 37.71 lakh. Nilay Ashok Gadekar, the vehicle owner, was apprehended, while accomplice Amit Kishore Bobade has been declared absconding. Charges have been filed under sections of the Bombay Prohibition Act, 1949, including Sections 65-A, 65-E, 81, 83, 90, and 98.

Officers involved in the successful seizure included Inspectors Mangesh Kawale, Shailesh Ajmire, Sub-Inspectors Sheetal Bedarkar, Vinod Singh Thakur, and officers Rahul Pawar, Dhaval Tijare, Ankush Bhorke, and Sonam Shingne.

The case is being investigated by Umesh Shiranate, Sub-Inspector of State Excise, with Officer Prashant Dhavale as the complainant. The raid saw further support from Deputy Superintendent Atul Kothalwar, Inspectors Mohan Patil, Anand Pachar, Jitendra Pawar, Balaji Chalaniwar, and Sub-Inspectors Shyamli Kuradkar, Sunayana Waghmare, Amit Kshirsagar, along with other personnel.