In a significant breakthrough, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the massive illegal foreign liquor haul in Gurgaon has arrested the primary owner of the implicated shop. Sugreev Kumar (41), who fled to Bali, Indonesia, immediately after the raid, was detained upon his arrival at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi on Tuesday.
The Bali Escape and Arrest
Sugreev Kumar, identified as the main figure behind 'The Theka' liquor vend in Gurgaon's upscale Signature Tower, attempted to evade authorities by escaping to the Indonesian island of Bali. His international run was short-lived, as police tracked his movements and apprehended him the moment he landed back in the national capital. Kumar has reportedly confessed to holding a 50% stake in the wine shop at the center of the Rs 10-crore illegal liquor scandal.
Investigations have revealed that Kumar is not new to legal troubles concerning excise violations. The SIT found a previous criminal record against him; he was booked under the Excise Act at the DLF Phase-2 police station back in 2011.
Details of the Raid and Recoveries
The elaborate racket was exposed on December 9 following a specific tip-off received by the excise department. The information pointed towards a large stock of untaxed, illegal foreign liquor concealed within the premises of the Signature Tower wine shop.
A coordinated raid conducted jointly by the police and excise departments led to a staggering discovery. Officials uncovered 3,921 cases and 176 individual bottles of premium foreign liquor stashed away in two secret rooms built within the shop. A critical finding was that none of the seized bottles carried the mandatory government holograms or track-and-trace strips, confirming their illicit nature and evasion of state taxes.
Expanding Net of Arrests
With Kumar's arrest, the total number of individuals taken into custody in this case has risen to five. The other arrested accused include Ankush Goyal, who held a 25% stake in the shop, the shop manager identified as Ajay, a delivery driver also named Ajay, and an individual named Manoj, who is alleged to have prepared fake transport documents to facilitate the illegal operation.
However, one key suspect remains at large. Police are still searching for another stakeholder, reported to be a relative of Ankush Goyal, who is currently absconding. The SIT continues its probe to unravel the entire supply chain and identify others involved in the smuggling and distribution network.
The arrest of the main owner marks a crucial step in the investigation, but authorities emphasize that the probe is ongoing to determine the source of the illegal stock and its distribution channels across the National Capital Region (NCR).
