PHAGWARA: In a major breakthrough against the illegal liquor trade, the Guraia police have arrested two individuals and seized a substantial quantity of illicit liquor and distillation equipment following a raid in the village of Rurka Kalan. The action was taken based on a tip-off received by ASI Amandeep Singh, Incharge of Rurka Kalan police post, who along with his team conducted a swift operation at the residence of Bahadur Singh.
During the raid, police apprehended Baljit Singh, and Rajesh Yadav alias Gurinder, both residents of Rurka Kalan. A working liquor still was found operating at the premises, along with 1, 200 litres of lahan (fermented wash), 1, 50, 000 millilitres of illicit liquor, three gas cylinders, a distillery tub, a gas stove, and eight drums used in the illegal operation.
Two others, identified as Bahadur Singh and Sukhdev Singh, both sons of Pooran Singh and residents of the same village, managed to flee the scene and are currently absconding. According to police, the accused had been involved in smuggling liquor from the banks of the Sutlej River and distributing it across local villages. Due to the lucrative nature of the business, they had reportedly set up a full-scale illicit liquor manufacturing operation within the premises of their own residence.
Inspector Sikander Singh Virk, Officer-in-Charge of Guraia Police Station, confirmed that a case has been registered under FIR No. 145 dated August 2, 2025, under Sections 61-1-14 of the Excise Act and Sections 123 and 62 of the BNS Act. Further investigation revealed that Sukhdev Singh has five previous criminal cases registered against him, while Bahadur Singh has two prior cases.