Majitha spurious liquor case: Kingpin among 10 accused held, DSP and SHO suspended for negligence
PTC Web Desk: Taking swift action after the tragic loss of lives due to spurious liquor in Majitha in Amritsar, the Punjab Police have arrested 10 persons, including the kingpin of the racket, along with several local distributors in connection with the illicit liquor trade and main suppliers of Methanol— a fatal chemical used in industrial products, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Tuesday.
The arrested kingpin of the racket has been identified as Sahib Singh, while main suppliers of methanol have been identified as Pankaj Kumar alias Sahil and Arvind Kumar, owners of Sahil Chemicals at Sukh Enclave in Ludhiana. The police have also arrested local distributors— identified as Prabhjit Singh and Kulbir Singh; and local sellers— identified as Ninder Kaur, Sahib Singh, Gurjant Singh, Arun alias Kala and Sikander Singh alias Pappu.
DGP Gaurav Yadav said preliminary investigation has revealed that the methanol chemical, after being procured online by kingpin Sahib Singh, was being used for manufacturing spurious liquor. Investigation is underway to uncover the entire modus operandi and to bring all involved to justice, he said.
The DGP said DSP, subdivision Majitha, Amolak Singh and SHO, police station Majitha, SI Avtar Singh have been suspended for gross negligence in discharging their official duties, which resulted in the fatal incident. Departmental inquiries have been initiated against the delinquents, he added.
We all stand united in grief and in our resolve to ensure justice is served and such tragedies are prevented in the future,” said DGP Gaurav Yadav.
Sharing details of modus operandi, SSP, Amritsar Rural, Maninder Singh said the investigations had revealed that local distributor Prabhjeet Singh had received methanol chemical filled in 50 litre jerry can from kingpin Sahib Singh. During questioning, the latter revealed he had ordered the methanol from a Ludhiana-based chemical firm, Sahil Chemicals, via online platform.
The SSP said the probe had also revealed that another consignment of methanol, ordered by kingpin Sahib Singh, from the Delhi-based firm is also in transition. Excise and police teams have been dispatched to retrieve and seize the consignment as soon as it arrives, he said, while adding that all the culprits involved in this racket will be arrested.
Two separate cases FIR no. 42/25 at Police Station Majitha and FIR no. 16/25 at Police Station Kathunangal in Amristar Rural have been registered under sections 105 and 103 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), section 61A of the Excise Act and section 3 of the SC/ST Act.r, May 13.
- PTC NEWS
