Bijnor : T wo men were arrested and 327 cartons of liquor allegedly meant for sale outside Chandigarh were seized from a truck carrying 650 bags of salt, officials said on Friday.
Police found the liquor hidden beneath and between the salt bags, following which they seized the truck and also recovered Rs 3,150 in cash and a mobile phone. During interrogation, Pandey allegedly told police that a man named Vikas had offered him Rs 20,000 to transport the consignment, Rs 500 a day for food and other expenses, and an additional Rs 30,000 on delivery. Police said the truck had been loaded near a petrol pump in Sector 2, Chandigarh, by a person sent by Vikas. An FIR was registered at Chandpur police station under sections 318(4) (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property) and 3(5) (criminal act with common intention) of BNS and sections 60, 63 and 72 of the Excise Act.
Police said the liquor was allegedly intended to be sold in Bihar. Police said the liquor was manufactured in Chandigarh and authorised for sale only in the Union territory. The arrested men were identified as Anil Kumar Pandey of Gopalganj, Bihar, and Sheeshpal Kushwaha of Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh. Pandey was driving the truck, while Kushwaha was its cleaner. The accused were allegedly given bills for the salt bags and transport documents to make the consignment appear legitimate. The truck was being driven via Meerut, Gajraula, Dhanaura and Bijnor towards Kushinagar.
Bijnor SP Krishna Kumar Bishnoi said the seizure was made on Thursday during vehicle checking at a barricade near Bawanpura police outpost.
Police said Pandey had a previous excise case registered in Kushinagar in 2025, while Kushwaha had been booked in an excise case in 2026. Further investigation is underway.