One lakh cases, 72,620 held in Maharashtra over illegal liquor

The Maharashtra Excise Department has registered 1,00,048 cases related to the illegal manufacture, sale and transportation of liquor and arrested 72,620 persons so far from 2023-24, Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar informed the Legislative Assembly on Friday.

In a written reply to a question raised by BJP MLA Ameet Satam, Pawar, who holds the excise portfolio, said the department also seized contraband and other material worth `289 crore during the period.

According to the reply, the department registered 29,721 cases in 2023-24, arrested 20,537 persons and seized material worth Rs 69 crore.

In 2024-25, the department filed 30,152 cases, arrested 21,607 persons and seized material worth Rs 92 crore, the minister said.

During 2025-26, the Excise Department registered 31,021 cases, arrested 23,521 persons and seized material worth Rs 102 crore, Pawar said.

Between April 1 and June 30, 2026, the department registered 9,154 cases, arrested 6,955 persons and seized material worth Rs 26 crore, according to the written reply.