Punjab Excise and Taxation Department conducted a significant operation in Amritsar district on the intervening night of September 6 and 7 in response to a series of intelligence reports indicating the illegal manufacturing and sale of Scotch whisky in the region, and arrested key accused — Rajveer Singh and his accomplice Shivam — along with 10 boxes of illegally-bottled Scotch whiskey.

“This operation served as a stark reminder that no one involved in this illicit trade would be spared, and all backward and forward linkages are under intense scrutiny,” said the state Finance, Planning, Excise and Taxation Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Friday.

Cheema said that the Department had been receiving critical information and inputs through its intelligence network regarding the illegal production and sale of Scotch whisky, particularly of one brand, in and around the Amritsar district.

“Acting swiftly, the Special Operation Group (SOG) conducted extensive surveillance and reconnaissance of suspected individuals and areas involved in these illegal activities under the direct supervision of Finance Commissioner (Taxation) Vikas Partap and Excise Commissioner Varun Roojam,” he said.

Cheema said that SOG successfully executed a trap operation leading to the arrest of one key accused Rajveer Singh along with 10 boxes of illegally bottled Scotch whiskey. “The accused was handed over to Amritsar Rural Police and during the subsequent questioning, he disclosed the involvement of two accomplices Shivam and Jaspal who were responsible for sourcing raw materials required for liquor production from the Khasa distillery and bottling plant situated at Khasa, Amritsar”, he added.

He said that SOG identified the location where illegal liquor was being manufactured following the information provided by the arrested individual, conducted a raid at the Khasa distillery on the same night and arrested another accused Shivam who was an employee of the distillery.  He said that on investigation, it was found that Shivam played a pivotal role in these illegal activities by assisting in the theft of empty bottles, caps, labels, and the finished blend of Scotch whisky from the plant.

Giving a stern warning to the people involved in such illegal activities, Cheema said that all aspects of this illegal operation, from its inception to distribution, are being thoroughly scrutinized, and those involved will face the law.