Nagpur: In a major enforcement drive ahead of the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) elections 2026, Nagpur City Police launched a special crackdown against illegal liquor sellers between January 14 and 15, registering multiple cases and seizing liquor and vehicles worth Rs 5.68 lakh.

To ensure free, fair and peaceful polling, police teams carried out coordinated raids under the Prohibition Act across several police station jurisdictions in the city. As many as 24 cases were registered against 25 accused, who were found storing and selling liquor illegally.

Crime Branch units and local police stations conducted raids in areas including Ajni, Shantinagar, Yashodhara Nagar, Rana Pratap Nagar, Kapil Nagar, Mankapur, Wadi, Hudkeshwar, Kalamna, Sonegaon, Nandanvan, Pratap Nagar and Tehsil limits. The accused included both men and women, ranging in age from 19 to 70 years.

During the operations, police seized a large quantity of country-made and foreign liquor bottles of various capacities, along with cash and vehicles allegedly used for illegal transportation and sale. Notably, Kapil Nagar police seized foreign liquor bottles and a four-wheeler collectively valued at around Rs 3.60 lakh from a single accused on Kamptee Road.

Among other significant seizures were foreign liquor worth over Rs 54,000 along with a moped, and multiple stocks of country liquor recovered from residential premises, slum areas, roadside locations and parked vehicles.

All the accused have been booked under Section 65(E) of the Maharashtra Prohibition Act, and further investigations are underway to trace supply chains and prevent illicit liquor distribution during the election period.

Senior police officials stated that such enforcement drives will continue in the coming days to curb illegal activities and maintain law and order during the civic polls.