Siliguri, 26th September: A businessman, identified as Bikki Prasad, a resident of Pradhan Nagar in Siliguri, has been arrested on charges of selling counterfeit liquor.
The arrest followed a raid by the Excise Department at a government-licensed foreign liquor store in Kurseong.
During the raid, approximately 30 liters of counterfeit liquor, with a market value of about ₹2.5 lakhs, was recovered. The accused allegedly placed stickers of expensive foreign liquor on fake products and sold them to unsuspecting customers.
Deputy Excise Collector Kirat Singh Birdi stated that further investigation, after questioning the accused, led the department to a larger stash of fake liquor hidden under Bikki Prasad’s house. A significant quantity of counterfeit liquor was recovered from the location.
The accused was presented before the Kurseong Court on Thursday. The Excise Department has launched an investigation to determine the source of the counterfeit liquor and the fake stickers.