Delhi government officials have uncovered a “fake luxury liquor” racket operating within one of its own stores located in a Narela mall. The excise department reportedly caught store employees in the act of refilling empty bottles of high-end whisky and vodka with inferior quality liquor, and in some cases, even water.
Acting on intelligence, a team of excise inspectors raided the Delhi State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (DSIIDC) liquor vend on Thursday. Upon entering, they found four employees allegedly involved in refilling operations.
The employees were reportedly sourcing empty premium liquor bottles from scrap dealers, reattaching barcodes, and passing them off as genuine, high-priced products. Authorities have notified the DSIIDC and are seeking action against the involved parties.
A vehicle parked outside the premises was also found containing a bag of empty liquor bottles, some of which were being used in the illicit refilling process inside the store.
Police have registered a case, seized the bottles, refilling equipment, and the vehicle. Samples from the refilled bottles have been sent for chemical analysis, and the outlet has been sealed pending a thorough investigation.
This incident follows a similar crackdown in Punjab last month, where two individuals were arrested for refilling premium imported liquor bottles with lower-grade alcohol.
The department highlighted that this elaborate scheme was designed to mislead consumers and bypass state revenue collection.
Investigators identified that bottles of popular brands like Glenlivet, Black Dog, Chivas Regal, Johnnie Walker Gold Label, Hendrick’s Gin, and Godawan were being refilled with less expensive, locally sourced spirits.
“This was a clear attempt to cheat consumers and pocket huge profits while depriving the state of revenue,” an excise official stated.
During the raid, officials confiscated 106 empty bottles, 39 bottles of premium liquor, refilling apparatus, and a Swift Dzire car believed to be used in the operation.
