Members of the excise team trying to explain to the villagers.
A video of an Excise Department team that reached a village in Sidhi, Madhya Pradesh, following a complaint about illegal liquor has surfaced online.
During an argument with villagers, an Excise constable is heard saying, “Liquor will continue to be sold. When Uma Bharti was Chief Minister, she also tried to stop liquor. If she could not stop it, how can we?”
Villagers alleged that the Excise team returned without taking any action against those allegedly selling illegal liquor.
Illegal liquor allegedly found at house
The incident reportedly took place in Nagjhar village.
According to villagers, the Excise team reached the house of a man identified as Daddoo Kevat after receiving a complaint. They claimed that illegal liquor was found at the spot, but neither was it seized nor was any legal action initiated.
An argument subsequently broke out between the villagers and Excise officials, a video of which has now gone viral on social media.
The team arrived on a complaint of illegal liquor. An argument ensued with the Sarpanch representative here.
Sarpanch representative: ‘Liquor being sold outside school’
During the argument, Sarpanch representative Upendra Pandey questioned the Excise officials over the alleged sale of liquor in the village.
He said, “Uma Bharti’s statement may be right, but why do you allow contractors to bring liquor at night? Why don’t you question them? You are allowing liquor to be sold in front of the school.”
The Excise personnel are also heard telling villagers in the video, “You should question them… Why can’t 50 people together stop liquor from being sold in the village?”
The villagers, however, alleged that the department takes action against small sellers while licensed contractors and those involved in illegal liquor sales are not subjected to similar action.
Excise personnel allegedly had no name plates
Upendra Pandey claimed that the Excise team consisted of three constables and two other uniformed personnel, but none of them had name plates on their uniforms.
He alleged that the team saw liquor at the location but left without taking action after a discussion.
Pandey further claimed that country-made and foreign liquor is openly sold around 100 metres from the village’s secondary school.
According to him, complaints have been submitted several times, but no effective action has been taken so far.
All employees came without nameplates. They left without taking any action.
What happened during the argument?
The video captures a heated exchange between villagers and Excise personnel.
A villager is heard referring to Uma Bharti’s opposition to liquor, to which an Excise employee responds that villagers should also question contractors about why liquor is being brought into the village.
When villagers point out that liquor is being sold in front of a school despite repeated complaints, the employee asks why 50 villagers cannot collectively persuade those selling liquor to stop.
The villagers respond that they have submitted several complaints and alleged that officials leave the spot instead of taking action.
Another Excise employee then asks them to show where the liquor is being sold. The villagers ask the officials to come to the spot immediately and take action rather than informing the sellers beforehand.
During the argument, villagers also accused the Excise personnel of failing to act and alleged a nexus with the liquor mafia. These allegations have not been independently verified.
Excise Officer declines to comment
When contacted about the incident, Excise Department officer S.K. Singh reportedly declined to provide information.
“I will not give you any information,” he said before disconnecting the call.
SP says police taking regular action
Sidhi SP Santosh Kori said the matter falls under the Excise Department and that an authorised response could be provided only by the department.
He added that the police are continuously taking action against illegal liquor.
According to the SP, police teams have been conducting raids across all police station areas in the district over the past week and taking action against people allegedly involved in the manufacture and sale of illegal liquor.
