NCP leader held for illicit liquor transport

At a time when the NCP is struggling to improve its image in the state, former Chandrapur municipality president and party's Chandrapur unity chief Deepak Jaiswal has embarrassed the party. Jaiswal was arrested for illegally transporting liquor to Gadchiroli, a prohibited district, from Chandrapur on Wednesday.

According to reports on Thursday, the police confiscated 75 boxes of illicit liquor from a taxi at Gondpipri that was on its way to Ashti in Gadchiroli district from Chandrapur. Seven people travelling in the vehicle, who confessed to have been transporting liquor to Gadchiroli on behalf of Jaiswal, a liquor baron of Chandrapur, were arrested.

Police investigation also revealed that the liquor shop from where the accused had procured the consignment is owned by Jaiswal. The smugglers confessed that the consignment belonged to Jaiswal and was being smuggled to Gadchiroli district on his bidding.

The police arrested Jaiswal on Wednesday evening and took him to Gondpipri police station for interrogation. He was remanded to two-day police custody.

Additional superintendent of police (SP), Chandrapur district, Sanjay Jadhav said that prima facie investigation established that Jaiswal had a role in liquor smuggling to Gadchiroli district.

It is said that Jaiswal who runs over a dozen liquor shops in Chandrapur, has been smuggling illicit liquor to Gadchiroli district since the government banned the liquor in the tribal district a few years ago. He carried out this illicit business riding on the strong political clout he wielded in both the districts, it is alleged.

First Published: Oct 11, 2012 19:00 IST