Wardha crime branch seizes liquor worth Rs 5.75 lakh, books two men under prohibition law

A team of the Local Crime Branch (LCB), Wardha, was on patrol within the limits of Kharangana police station on 04/11/2026 when it received reliable information from a confidential informant. The informant said Mukesh Kokate and Snehal Katkar, both residents of Wardha, were illegally keeping foreign liquor in a room on the farm of Bhaskar Chopde, a resident of Yelakeli, in the Kachnur farm area. The room is built of brick and mud and has a tin roof.

The information was passed to Vinod Chaudhari, head of the Local Crime Branch, Wardha. Following his instructions, the team searched the room in complete secrecy. The following was found: 960 sealed 180 ml bottles of Royal Stag, packed in 20 cartons, valued at Rs 3,84,000 at Rs 400 a bottle; 240 sealed 180 ml bottles of Iconic White, in 5 cartons, valued at Rs 96,000 at Rs 400 a bottle; 192 sealed 180 ml bottles of Royal Challenge, valued at Rs 76,800 at Rs 400 a bottle; and 9 bumper bottles of Blenders Pride, 750 ml each, valued at Rs 18,000 at Rs 2,000 a bottle.

Goods worth Rs 5,74,800 in all were seized. A case has been registered at Kharangana police station against both accused, Mukesh Kokate and Snehal Katkar, both residents of Wardha, under Sections 65(e), 77(a) and 83 of the Maharashtra Prohibition Act. Investigation is continuing.

The action was carried out under the guidance of Superintendent of Police Saurabh Kumar Agrawal and Additional Superintendent of Police Sadashiv Waghmare by Police Inspector Vinod Chaudhari, Sub-Inspector Rahul Itekar and police personnel Bhushan Nighot, Dharmendra Akali, Amol Nagrale and Mangesh Chaware. All are posted with the Local Crime Branch, Wardha.