Bengaluru: Another car-bound city bootlegger attempting to peddle quarter bottles of liquor at exorbitant price was arrested amid coronavirus lockdown, a police official said on Wednesday.
“We have arrested Shankar for illegally selling liquor amid lockdown deploying the same online modus operandi,” Central Crime Branch (CCB) Deputy Commissioner of Police Kuldeep Jain told IANS.
Similar to earlier cases, Shankar was soliciting booze enthusiasts through online platforms such as Facebook, Whatsapp and others to make quick and easy money.
“He was selling each quarter bottle at more than a price of Rs 800. We have arrested him under the Excise Act and IPC Section 188,” said Jain.
Shankar, a resident of Sarjapura was arrested in Varthur, a city suburb even as five of his accomplices, who supplied him the liquor are absconding.
Police seized a sedan car in which Shankar stocked 120 quarter bottles, inexpensive local brands, to tour and peddle.
The liquor bottles were of 90 ml and 180 ml quantities.
“With Court permission we are quarantining Shankar to proceed with the legal formalities later,” he said.
According to Jain, liquor is a prized commodity and much sought after in the lockdown days as all the bars, pubs, liquor stores and discotheques are barred from operating by virtue of their non-essential nature.
“Many people are also getting cheated in their attempts to buy liquor these days, resulting in tip-offs and providing information,a he said.
Bengaluru has already witnessed a series of illegal liquor peddling arrests.
