Pune: Sahakar Nagar police arrested four persons on charges of illegally selling country made and foreign liquor during the lockdown period despite prohibitory orders being issued. Police have seized liquor stock worth Rs 80 thousand from their possession.
The suspects have been identified as Vitthal Davalcha Savaji, a resident of Pokale Vasti in Bibvewadi, Bablu Bansilal Srivastav and Kisan Misale, both residents of Siddharth Nagar in Sahakar Nagar and Dheeraj Ramlal Pardeshi, a resident of Koregaon Park. A complaint has been registered against them at Sahakar Nagar police station under section 188 (Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), 269 (negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life), 270 (malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and 34 (common intention) of Indian Penal Code and section 65-e (Penalty for illegal import, selling, buying or possession of intoxicant) of Maharashtra Prohibition Act.
According to police, the four suspects had been selling liquor in Sahakar Nagar area without any permission. Police received a tip-off that the four suspects are near the Supreme Industrial area. Accordingly, a team of policemen raided the place and seized liquor stock worth Rs 80893 and Rs 2,630 in cash from the possession of the suspects.
The Pune Municipal Corporation has imposed a 10-day strict lockdown in the city from July 14. The administration has asked all licensed liquor shops to remain shut during this period to avoid crowding of citizens at the shops and thereby prevent the spread of coronavirus. Long queues were seen on Saturday (July 11) and Sunday (July 12) after the lockdown was announced. Police suspect that apart from genuine customers, several buyers of liquor during these two days were trying to cash in the liquor ban during the lockdown period. In the initial phase of lockdowns too, liquor was being sold in the city at an exorbitant price by some unauthorised persons.
Edited by:
Khevna Pandit
