In the Guraru police station area of Gaya district, authorities have arrested two individuals after recovering 17 cartons of English liquor from a vehicle displaying banners of a political party candidate. The incident has raised serious questions about the misuse of political symbols for illegal activities during the election season. The vehicle was intercepted based on intelligence inputs, and the subsequent investigation revealed that the suspects had a criminal history. The banners on the vehicle belonged to a candidate from a political alliance, but officials clarified that the posters were used merely to avoid detection and facilitate the illegal transportation of alcohol. District officials confirmed that no valid pass or permit had been issued for the vehicle, and further investigations are underway to trace the printing press that produced the banners. A video of the incident, which went viral on social media, also showed some villagers fleeing with liquor bottles, and authorities are working to identify them for legal action. Both arrested individuals have been sent to jail. The case has drawn attention to the challenges of enforcing prohibition laws and preventing the use of political imagery for illegal purposes during the election period.
Two Arrested with 17 Cartons of Liquor
Police in Guraru arrested two men, identified as Saket Kumar (son of Upendra Prasad) and Rahul Das (son of Munna Das), after recovering 17 cartons of English liquor from their vehicle. Both suspects are residents of Chhotki Saav Mangalapur village in the Aamos police station area of Gaya district. The vehicle was stopped near Rauna Railway Gumti following a tip-off. Deputy Superintendent of Police Sushant Kumar Chanchal held a press conference on the afternoon of Wednesday at Guraru police station to share details. He stated that the police acted swiftly on the information and seized the liquor on October 4. Both arrested individuals have a known criminal background. They were formally sent to jail on Wednesday evening after preliminary investigations were completed.
Political Banner Used to Conceal Illegal Activity
The vehicle involved in the liquor transportation was carrying banners of a political candidate from the party alliance. The banners displayed the name and image of candidate Deepa Manjhi. However, police investigations revealed that the posters were used to disguise the illegal operation and make the transportation of alcohol easier by creating a false sense of legitimacy. Authorities confirmed that no official pass or permit had been issued for the vehicle from the Imamganj administration. The misuse of political symbols during the election period is a serious concern, as it can mislead enforcement agencies and the public. Police have traced the printing press where the posters were produced and are conducting further inquiries to determine if anyone else was involved in facilitating the illegal activity. The investigation aims to uncover the entire network behind the smuggling operation.
Viral Video Shows Villagers Fleeing with Liquor
A video of the incident went viral on social media, capturing moments when the vehicle was intercepted and the liquor was being seized. The footage also showed some villagers running away with bottles of liquor, apparently trying to take advantage of the chaos during the police operation. Authorities are now working to identify these individuals using the video evidence. The Deputy Superintendent of Police stated that legal action would be taken against anyone found to have participated in the looting or attempted to interfere with the enforcement operation. The viral nature of the video has increased public scrutiny of the case and highlighted the challenges law enforcement faces in controlling illegal alcohol trade. Police have assured that all those involved, whether directly or indirectly, will be brought to justice as the investigation progresses.
Investigation Expands to Uncover Larger Network
The investigation into the liquor smuggling case is being expanded to identify other individuals and entities involved in the illegal trade. Police are examining the supply chain, including the source of the liquor, the printing press that produced the political banners, and potential accomplices who may have helped plan or execute the operation. Authorities believe that the use of political banners was a deliberate strategy to evade checkpoints and reduce suspicion during transportation. The absence of any official permit or pass for the vehicle further confirms the illegal nature of the activity. The case has also drawn attention from senior officials, who have directed thorough investigations to prevent similar incidents during the election period. With both suspects now in custody, police hope to extract more information that will lead to further arrests and dismantle the smuggling network operating in the region.
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