Patwari asks why only drivers, cleaners held in 163 liquor smuggling cases in three MP districts

Madhya Pradesh Congress president Jitu Patwari has put questions to the Mohan Yadav government and the Excise Department over liquor smuggling cases in the state. He made his remarks in a post on the social media platform X.

Patwari alleged that 163 liquor smuggling cases have been registered in Barwani, Jhabua and Dhar districts, which border Gujarat. According to him, action in these cases remained limited to the drivers and cleaners who transported the liquor. He asked why no action had been taken against liquor-making factories, warehouse owners and those linked to the smuggling network.

In his post, Patwari said the liquor smuggling matter had reached the High Court and that questions were being raised about the way the Excise Department works. He said that despite this, the government was giving no reply.

Addressing Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav, Patwari asked why drivers and cleaners carrying liquor bottles were caught, but the investigation did not reach the factory owners and the real kingpins of the smuggling.

Patwari also raised the issue of revenue loss and law and order. He alleged that illegal smuggling was costing the state crores of rupees in revenue every year. He said this also raised serious questions about law and order. He also asked the BJP government why action was confined to those transporting the liquor instead of being taken against the entire network.

Meanwhile, a public interest litigation has been filed on the 163 liquor smuggling cases in the three districts bordering Gujarat and the scope of the investigation. The next hearing in the Indore High Court is set for November 18. The petition seeks an investigation into the source of the liquor, factories, warehouses and the supply network.