Archive · 2 Oct 2026
Madhya Pradesh Liquor Crackdown Seizes Stock, Sparks Aalirajpur Row
Gandhi Jayanti is a dry day when licensed liquor shops in Madhya Pradesh must remain closed.
In Jabalpur, police searched three places and found about 1,005 litres of liquor.
The liquor was stored in 112 cases and was worth nearly ₹5 lakh.
Police arrested two people during the operation.
They also named Ballu Patwa as an alleged supplier in all three cases.
Police believe the liquor may have been brought from outside the district to sell illegally on the dry day.
The cases were filed under the Excise Act.
Separately, tribal leader Mahesh Patel accused officials in Aalirajpur of protecting large liquor operators, but the available report does not provide the officials' response.
Jabalpur police seized about 1,005 litres of illicit liquor in 112 cases during Gandhi Jayanti dry-day raids.
The seized liquor was valued at nearly ₹5 lakh and recovered from three locations.
Two people, Johnny Anthony and Yadav, were arrested, while alleged supplier Ballu Patwa was named as an accused.
Police suspect the liquor was brought from outside Jabalpur district for illegal dry-day sales.
In Aalirajpur, tribal leader Mahesh Patel accused police and the Excise Department of protecting major liquor operators.
- Who
- Jabalpur Ranjhi Police, two arrested men identified as Johnny Anthony and Yadav, alleged supplier Ballu Patwa, and Aalirajpur tribal leader Mahesh Patel.
- What
- Police seized about 1,005 litres of illicit liquor in Jabalpur; separately, Patel alleged official protection of major liquor operators in Aalirajpur.
- When
- The Jabalpur raids took place around Gandhi Jayanti, observed on October 2; Patel's allegations were reported on Thursday.
- Where
- The seizures occurred at three locations in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh; the separate allegations concerned liquor movement in Aalirajpur district.
- Why
- Police suspect the liquor was stockpiled for illegal sales during the Gandhi Jayanti dry day.
Allegations of Official Protection
Police Enforcement Account
Illegal liquor networks
Allegations of Official Protection
Mahesh Patel alleged that police and the Excise Department were protecting major liquor operators and identified several routes allegedly used to move liquor in Aalirajpur.
Police Enforcement Account
In Jabalpur, police said they had gathered intelligence, conducted simultaneous raids, arrested two people and were investigating the source and supply network; the available report does not include a response from the officials accused by Patel.
Purpose of the seized stock
Allegations of Official Protection
The allegations in Aalirajpur concerned the alleged movement and trade of liquor through several locations.
Police Enforcement Account
Jabalpur police said preliminary findings suggested the liquor had been brought from outside the district and stockpiled for illegal sale during the Gandhi Jayanti dry day.
- Liquor seized
- About 1,005 litres
- Quantity recovered
- 112 cases from three locations
- Estimated value
- Nearly ₹5 lakh
- Arrests
- Two people: Johnny Anthony and Yadav
- Named alleged supplier
- Ballu Patwa
- Legal action
- Cases registered under relevant provisions of the Excise Act
- Separate controversy
- Mahesh Patel accused police and the Excise Department of protecting major liquor operators in Aalirajpur