Delhi Excise Department registers 725 FIRs, arrests 730 in illegal liquor cases in five months

The Delhi government’s Excise Department registered 725 FIRs and arrested 730 people in cases involving the sale and transportation of illegal liquor between April and August 2026, an official said on Sunday.

While stepping up enforcement efforts to curb the sale and smuggling of illegal liquor in the city during this period, the department seized 197 vehicles carrying illegal liquor, the official said in a statement.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the Delhi government follows a zero-tolerance policy towards the illegal liquor trade and is working on an effective excise policy to eliminate the illegal activities.

She said the new policy would focus on strengthening public safety, ensuring responsible regulation of the liquor trade, maintaining quality and increasing government revenue.

She said the government’s priority was to ensure adequate availability of legal liquor during festivals so that Delhi residents do not face any inconvenience, while also effectively curbing the sale and smuggling of illegal liquor.

According to the Excise Department, Delhi shares geographical boundaries with neighbouring states and has around 70 entry points, both large and small.

These routes create the possibility of illegal liquor being smuggled into the city. Keeping this in mind, the department’s enforcement wing maintains constant surveillance and takes legal action against those involved in the sale or transportation of illegal liquor, the statement said.

According to the Excise Department, during the corresponding period from April to August in the financial year 2025-26, it registered 315 FIRs and arrested 312 people.

During this period, 112 vehicles were seized and around one lakh bottles of illegal liquor were recovered.

Enforcement activities have increased significantly during the same period this year. Between April and August 2026, action has been taken against violations of rules at licensed premises.

In such cases, seven FIRs have been registered, and action has been taken to seal the concerned bars, impose fines on those violating the rules and initiate other legal proceedings, the statement said.

The Excise Department said enforcement activities would be stepped up further in view of the upcoming festive season in Delhi.

The department aims to take strict action against those involved in the illegal liquor trade while also ensuring the availability of liquor through legal channels in the city, the statement said.

To this end, the supply of bonded liquor will be ensured through retail outlets operated by government corporations and on-premises sales outlets such as hotels, clubs and restaurants, it said.

(Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by Education Post)