Gurgaon Court Denies Bail to Liquor Vend Partner in Major Excise Scam
A city court in Gurgaon has denied bail to Sugriv Kumar, a partner in a liquor vend implicated in a significant excise department seizure. The case involves the diversion and illegal sale of premium imported liquor intended for Goa and Maharashtra.
Details of the Liquor Diversion Operation
In December, the excise department conducted a raid at 'The Theka' liquor vend near Signature Towers, seizing a substantial quantity of alcohol. The haul included 3,921 cases and 176 bottles of premium imported liquor that was supposed to be distributed in Goa and Maharashtra. Instead, investigators discovered that the consignment had been diverted and illegally sold in Gurgaon using fabricated documentation.
Court's Reasoning for Denying Bail
Additional Sessions Judge Amit Gautam refused bail to Sugriv Kumar, emphasizing the gravity of the organized offence. The court noted that the investigation pointed to a well-orchestrated conspiracy involving illegal storage, transportation, and sale of foreign liquor. Key aspects of the case include:
- The liquor lacked mandatory holograms and track and trace strips.
- Fake, computer-generated bills were used to conceal the diversion and bypass excise controls.
- Crucial documents and the computer system used to generate fake bills are yet to be recovered.
Judge Gautam stated, "Keeping in view the seriousness and gravity of the offence, organised nature of the crime, the fact that crucial documents are yet to be recovered, and the investigation is under way, this court does not deem it appropriate to grant regular bail to Sugriv at this stage."
Prosecution's Arguments and Accused's Role
Public Prosecutor Dhananjay Kumar argued that Sugriv Kumar is a key conspirator in the racket, holding a 50% partnership in the liquor vend. According to the prosecution, Kumar was actively involved in managing operations, arranging transport vehicles, coordinating illegal supply from bonded warehouses, and facilitating the sale of illicit liquor for monetary gains.
The prosecution further detailed that as part of the conspiracy, the accused prepared forged and fake bills for customers purchasing the diverted liquor. This systematic approach allowed the illegal activity to go undetected until the excise department's raid on December 9, 2025.
Broader Context and Previous Bail Denial
This case highlights ongoing issues with liquor diversion and tax evasion in the region. Last week, the same court denied bail to Ankush Goyal, who holds a 25% partnership in the vend. Investigators have identified Goyal as another key conspirator in the liquor diversion and tax evasion racket.
The denial of bail to both partners underscores the court's stance on tackling organized crime in the excise sector. The ongoing investigation aims to uncover the full extent of the conspiracy and recover all evidence, including the computer system used to generate fake bills.
This case serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by authorities in regulating the liquor trade and preventing illegal activities that evade taxation and compliance measures.
