In a continued crackdown on illegal liquor trade, the Excise Department of Bhopal carried out extensive late-night raids on May 7, targeting bars, hotels, restaurants, and roadside eateries across the city. The operation, led by Assistant Excise Commissioner Virendra Dhakad, resulted in the registration of 48 cases under the Madhya Pradesh Excise Act.
Acting on a directive to enforce stricter surveillance, four excise teams raided more than a dozen establishments in key areas such as Kerwa Dam Road, Ratibad, Number 10 Market, Arera Colony, Bairagarh, and Berasia Road. The teams found multiple instances of illegal liquor being stored and served to customers in violation of licensing norms.
Among the prominent establishments raided were Blue Lagoon, Hide Out, Tree Chapter, Basil, CountrySide Meadows, One Malt, Khashiyat, R-M Bins, Moksh Club, Rajwada Dhaba, Page-3, and Cuisine Culture. In addition, the department also took action against individuals involved in producing and selling illicit liquor made using unauthorized hand-made furnaces along Berasia Road.
Excise Controller RG Bhadauria confirmed the scale of the operation, while Assistant Commissioner Dhakad announced that raids would continue on May 8 as part of an intensified effort to curb the illegal liquor business in the state capital.
The latest raids follow a major enforcement action last week, in which Collector Kaushlendra Vikram Singh ordered the suspension of licenses and sealing of 59 restaurants, hotels, and bars for regulatory violations. These included high-profile venues such as 10 Downing Street, Farzi Cafe, Flying Saucer, Hotel Amer Palace, and Bhojpur Club. The establishments were penalized for failing to obtain mandatory electrical safety certificates and for not completing license renewal formalities on the e-excise portal, even after being given a 30-day compliance window.
In a related but separate incident on the same day, 38 boxes of illegal foreign liquor worth Rs 15 lakh were seized from a car in Bairagarh. Two individuals, Shahrukh Ali and Shakir Ali, were arrested under the provisions of the Madhya Pradesh Excise Act.
Officials have reiterated their commitment to maintaining strict vigilance and ensuring compliance across all licensed establishments in the city. The department has also urged citizens to report any suspicious or illegal liquor activity in their vicinity.
He emphasized the vision of the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s SMART Policing initiative, urging officers to uphold the values of Sensitivity, Modernity, Alertness, Reliability, and Tech-savviness while remaining committed to the Constitution and legal frameworks. He reminded them that while their uniform should instill fear in anti-social elements, it should equally inspire trust and confidence in the minds of citizens, especially the vulnerable.
The DGP expressed full faith in the capabilities of the new officers, asserting that they would live up to the expectations of their families, society, and the police force, and contribute meaningfully to nation-building.
The glittering ceremony, held under the bright morning sun and accompanied by the melodic tunes of the police band, was marked by passion and enthusiasm from both male and female officers. The passing-out ceremony concluded with the officers taking a solemn oath of allegiance to the Indian Constitution and commitment to national service under the shadow of the national flag.
