The district police have booked Harpreet Singh Bhagike, a senior Shiromani Akali Dal leader, who is also a block samiti member of Nihal Singh Wala area and his son Harminder Singh, residents of the Bhagike village, for allegedly carrying 255 boxes (3,060 bottles) of illicit liquor near Bhagike village, 45 km from the district headquarters on Tuesday.
According to information, the police had received a tip-off that some people were carrying illicit liquor in two vehicles via the Nihal Singh Wala-Barnala state highway near Bhagike village.
Prem Singh, station house officer (SHO) of the Nihal Singh Wala police station, said, "As soon as we received the tip-off, a special police team, led by senior police officials including excise and taxation officer Balwinder Singh, put up a barricade outside the Bhagike village. The police stopped a Scorpio and a Mahindra pick-up van and, on search, found 255 boxes of liquor including 168 boxes of Rasbhari brand, 18 of Royal Stag, 12 of Royal Challenge, 18 of Imperial Blue and 39 of Khasa from the vehicles."
According to the police, during the search operation the accused, identified as Harpreet Singh Bhagike and his son Harminder Singh fled the spot.
"A case has been registered against both under section 61-1-14 of the excise Act. However, further investigation is underway," said the police official.
"A case has been registered against both under section 61-1-14 of the excise Act. However, further investigation is underway," said the police official.