Nagpur: In a major action, Kalamna police have busted a liquor adulteration racket that had been operating for nearly a decade — refilling branded liquor bottles with water and selling them as genuine alcohol. Seven accused have been arrested, and stock worth ₹30.38 lakh, including vehicles and materials, has been seized.

Those arrested include Mahendra Rambhau Bambal (43), Nikhil alias Nikku Raju Nantkar (28), Narayan alias Bunty Banduji Motharkar (35), Ibrahim alias Babbu Khan Pathan (40), Roshan Rakesh Sahu (34), Gajendra Tijuram Sahu (36), and Maniram alias Rahul Koleshwar Paswan (25).

According to police, the accused worked as liquor transporters and scrap dealers. After collecting consignments from warehouses, they stopped at fixed spots, broke bottle seals, replaced liquor with water, and repacked the diluted stock in discarded bottles and boxes. Paswan supplied the empty bottles and caps, some sourced from Madhya Pradesh. The fake liquor was sold to bar and wine shop staff at half the market price and resold at regular rates, earning huge profits. Sources said the racket had been running for 8–10 years, possibly under the protection of an influential liquor lobby.

Acting on a tip-off, police intercepted Mahendra Bambal near Chikhli Square while delivering liquor to Sharjah Bar. Bottles with mismatched batch numbers led to the racket’s exposure. Subsequent raids yielded four pick-up vehicles and 135 litres of adulterated liquor worth ₹2.38 lakh.

Investigations suggest several bar employees and traders may be involved, with police probing deeper into the nexus. The operation was led by PI Pravin Kale and API Shashikant Musle under the supervision of DCP Niketan Kadam.