In a crackdown on Thursday night, the Bokaro Police uncovered a sprawling illegal liquor operation nestled within Phase IV of Bokaro’s industrial area. The clandestine enterprise, operating under the guise of a Water Packaging factory alotted by the Jharkhand Industrial Area Development Authority (JIADA), fell under the jurisdiction of Balidih Police Station of Bokaro.
The raid, marked by meticulous investigation, resulted in the seizure of equipment’s, machines and contraband worth approximately 1.5 crores, highlighting the magnitude of the illicit activities thriving within the region.
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Unmasking the Setup: Machinery, Spirits, and Branding Materials Seized
Among the items confiscated during the raid were sophisticated machinery tailored for the production, filling, and packaging of illegal English liquor. Additionally, authorities unearthed a stockpile of raw spirit, tallying up to 20,000 liters, alongside 7,000 liters of the finished product.
Noteworthy were the 16 tanks, each boasting a capacity of 5000 liters, serving as reservoirs for the illicit brew. Furthermore, the discovery of packaging materials bearing prestigious brand names such as Black Dog and VAT 69, along with barcodes linking to states including Punjab, Arunachal Pradesh, Haryana, and West Bengal, offered crucial insights into the clandestine supply chain.
Elusive Culprits: Offenders Slip Away Despite Police Raid
In response to this discovery, high-ranking officials, including IG North Chotanagpur Micheal S Raj, Secretary of the State Excise Department Mukesh Kumar, and Deputy Commissioner (DC) Jadhav Vijaya Narayan Rao, visited the site to assess the situation and strategise further actions.
Legal Pursuits: FIR Lodged and Investigations Initiated
In the wake of the raid, the police lodged an FIR against Jagdish Sao, a resident of Chas in Bokaro, along with other unnamed individuals allegedly involved in the illegal liquor trade. Shedding light on the intricate web of deceit, IG Michael S Raj revealed that while the facade of a non-functional Water Packaging Plant adorned the front, a fully operational unit manufacturing illegal liquors, including high-end brands, lurked behind the scenes.
Accountability and Accountability: Officials Held Responsible
Addressing the administrative oversights that facilitated the operation of the illegal liquor factory, DC Jadhav Vijaya Narayan Rao issued show cause notices to the proprietor of M/S Sarb Plastics, Bijendra Prasad, initiating the cancellation process for the allocated premises. Moreover, accountability was sought from officials of JIADA Bokaro region and the District Excise Department, questioning their failure to detect and prevent such unlawful activities.
Legal Implications and Regulatory Actions
The illegal liquor factory has been sealed. Samples have been collected and sent to the laboratory for testing. The report related to the matter will be submitted to the Election Commission of India and Cabinet Election Jharkhand. Excise secretary Mukesh Kumar reprimanded the officials of the concerned department regarding the illegally operated factory.
DC Bokaro ordered inspection of allotted industrial plots
District Election Officer cum Deputy Commissioner Jadhav Vijaya Narayan Rao has ordered the formation of a dedicated team to conduct physical inspections of all industrial plots allocated within the industrial area. The purpose behind the allocation of each plot and the ongoing activities conducted on them will be thoroughly investigated. Additionally, Assistant Development Officer BIADA has been tasked with ensuring that the name board at the main entrance of various industrial establishments.
A History of Crackdowns: Previous Instances of Illegal Liquor Raids in Bokaro Industrial Zone 
Instances of illegal liquor operations being uncovered in the Bokaro Industrial area are not uncommon. The area has witnessed several crackdowns on illicit liquor manufacturing and storage facilities. On February 14, 2020, the Chandrapura police station confiscated a vehicle transporting illegal liquor and conducted a raid on a company in the Bokaro industrial area, where a warehouse was discovered. Similarly, on April 10, 2021, Bihar Police intercepted an illegal liquor truck in Malaypur, located under the Jamui district of Bihar, within the Bokaro Industrial Area.
Further instances include the discovery of illegal English liquor in a factory near a petrol pump in the Bokaro Industrial Area on March 14, 2022. Subsequently, on April 27, 2022, Bihar police conducted a raid on a defunct factory within the Bokaro Industrial Area, seizing a vehicle and other materials. Shockingly, the following day, trucks parked within the premises of this closed-down company were set ablaze, indicating the extent of illicit activities in the region.
