New Delhi, Aug 4: In a major crackdown on the illegal liquor trade ahead of the upcoming festive season, the Anti-Snatching and Burglary (ASB) Cell of Delhi Police’s East District on Tuesday has busted an interstate illicit liquor supply network, arresting one bootlegger and recovering 147 cartons of illegal liquor being transported from Haryana for distribution in Delhi.

The police also seized a goods vehicle, which was being used to transport the contraband. A case has been registered under FIR No. 375/2026 under Sections 33 and 58 of the Delhi Excise Act at Ghazipur Police Station. Further investigation is underway to identify and apprehend other members of the liquor smuggling network.

According to the police, the arrested accused has been identified as Mohit, 24, a resident of Village Sewapur in Uttar Pradesh’s Shamli district. Police verification revealed that he was previously involved in five cases registered under the Delhi Excise Act, indicating his continued involvement in illegal liquor trafficking.

Sharing details of the operation, officials said the ASB Cell, East District, has been tasked with taking strict action against bootlegging, illegal arms trafficking, and other criminal activities in view of the festive season. Acting under the supervision of ACP (Operations) Pavan Kumar, a dedicated team led by SI Ajay Tomar, In-Charge of the ASB Cell, was formed. The team included ASI Sabu, Head Constables Shailendra Singh, Subodh and Manendra, and Constable Moradhvaj.

During the intervening night of August 2 and 3, the police team received specific information regarding the movement of a vehicle carrying a large consignment of illicit liquor near Ghazipur Shamshan Ghat in East Delhi. After discreetly verifying the information, the team laid a trap and maintained surveillance along the suspected route.

At the same time, a team from the Delhi Excise Department, led by SI Sachin and comprising HC Rahul and Amit, also tracked the suspicious vehicle and reached the location. In a coordinated operation, the police and excise teams intercepted the Tata Ace and apprehended the driver.

A detailed search of the vehicle resulted in the recovery of 147 cartons of illicit liquor meant exclusively for sale in Haryana. The vehicle used in transporting the illegal consignment was also seized.

Following the recovery, a case under the Delhi Excise Act was registered at Ghazipur Police Station, and further investigation was launched to identify the source of the liquor, its intended recipients, and other individuals involved in the smuggling network.

During interrogation, Mohit disclosed that he is a native of Shamli district in Uttar Pradesh and has been working as a driver for the past five to six years. During this period, he came into contact with people engaged in the illicit liquor trade and gradually became involved in transporting illegal liquor in exchange for money.

He told investigators that he had been assigned the task of transporting liquor consignments from Haryana and delivering them near Ghazipur Shamshan Ghat in Delhi for a commission. On the day of the incident, he had allegedly collected the liquor consignment from Haryana and was on his way to the delivery point when he was intercepted by the police.

The accused admitted that the 147 cartons recovered from the vehicle were being transported illegally for distribution in Delhi. He also disclosed that five cases under the Delhi Excise Act had previously been registered against him.

Police said efforts are continuing to identify, trace and arrest other associates connected to the racket. Investigators are also working to uncover the larger network involved in the procurement, transportation and distribution of illicit liquor across state borders.

Mohit, who is educated up to Class VIII, had been working as a driver before allegedly turning to illegal liquor transportation. Police said he was lured into the trade by the prospect of earning easy money.

The recovered consignment included 5,200 quarter bottles (104 cartons) of Deshi Sharab ‘Santra,’ 850 quarter bottles (17 cartons) of Deshi Sharab ‘Race-7,’ and 312 bottles (26 cartons) of Deshi Sharab ‘Murthal No. 1,’ all marked ‘For Sale in Haryana Only.’

Guwahati, Aug 3: Assam Police in the Hailakandi district have arrested five people in connection with the brutal murder of a 15-year-old girl at her residence in the Aloichora area under Katlichera police station, officials said on Monday.

Police said that the suspects are scheduled to be produced before a local court on Monday as authorities widen their investigation to explore all possible angles in the horrific crime.

A senior police official said the incident occurred late Saturday night around 11:00 p.m. when the victim was alone at home.

According to local sources, the girl had initially gone to a nearby relative’s house with her family to attend a feast. However, following a minor disagreement with a cousin, she returned home early.

When the family returned later that night, they discovered her body lying on the floor. The assault was carried out with extreme brutality — her face and head were heavily disfigured, rendering her body almost unrecognisable to her family.

The victim’s relatives have alleged that she was sexually assaulted before being murdered, citing severe injuries found on the body.

The discovery of the crime sparked intense public outrage in the region.

Angry local residents took to the streets and blocked National Highway 6, demanding immediate action, the swift arrest of those responsible, and stringent punishment for the culprits.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) in the Hailakandi district, Amitabh Sinha, confirmed that a formal case has been registered and that law enforcement moved quickly to pick up five individuals for questioning.

While the family continues to maintain that sexual violence took place, police officials stated that they are awaiting the final post-mortem report to medically confirm the allegations of sexual assault and establish the precise cause of death.

Reiterating its commitment to justice, the district administration assured that strict legal action will follow against anyone found involved in the crime.

Forensic teams have collected evidence from the crime scene, and police are currently cross-examining the detained individuals to reconstruct the sequence of events leading up to the murder.

Kolkata, Aug 3: The West Bengal Police arrested a Trinamool Congress leader and recovered firearms, live cartridges and a bomb from his house during a search operation in South 24 Parganas district’s Canning area, police officials said on Monday.

The accused has been identified as Alauddin Tarafdar, a resident of Uttar Angadberia village under Dighirpar gram panchayat in the Canning police station area. The police said he is a Trinamool Congress (TMC) booth president.

According to the police, a raid was carried out at Tarafdar’s residence late on Sunday night following a tip-off. During the search, officers recovered a firearm, a small firearm, four live cartridges and a live bomb. He was arrested, and the recovered weapons were taken into custody for forensic examination as well as further investigation.

The accused is scheduled to be produced before the Alipore court on Monday. A police officer said investigators would seek his police custody to question him further.

“An application will be made to take him into police custody for the sake of investigation. We are trying to ascertain why the firearms and explosives were kept there and whether any other persons are linked to the case,” the officer said.

The arrest comes amid a series of arms recoveries in South 24 Parganas and adjoining districts over the past few weeks.

On July 27, the police conducted a joint raid in the Bishnupur area of South 24 Parganas and arrested three persons after recovering two firearms, three rounds of live ammunition and cash amounting to Rs 20,65,900.

Earlier, on June 20, the police recovered 14 long-range firearms and 95 rounds of ammunition from a pond in Basanti in the same district. Two local TMC leaders were arrested in connection with the recovery. The weapons were allegedly concealed in the pond near the residence of Shaokat Gayen.

In another incident on June 15, fishermen casting nets in a pond at Habra in North 24 Parganas found two bags containing eight firearms and 97 rounds of live cartridges. The police later seized the weapons and launched an investigation into their origin and intended use.