Group Held in Haridwar for Illegal Liquor Trade in Kanwariya Disguise

In a shocking turn of events during the ongoing Kanwar Yatra in Uttarakhand’s Haridwar, authorities have uncovered an illicit liquor operation at the revered Har Ki Pauri area. Known for its sanctity and as a hub for spiritual activities, Har Ki Pauri was marred by the discovery of a large cache of illegal alcohol. The crackdown took place late on Friday night when Haridwar police raided Giri’s Haveli in the Chowki area of Har Ki Pauri. Officials seized a staggering 750 bottles of both foreign and country liquor, along with 20 beer cans, from the premises.

Two individuals involved in the illegal liquor trade were apprehended during the raid, while two women accomplices managed to evade arrest and are currently on the run. The arrested individuals are currently under investigation, and efforts are ongoing to locate and apprehend the absconding suspects involved in this illegal activity.

According to officials, they supplied liquor to Kanwar pilgrims despite the area being dry, relying on personal connections. Operating within the prohibition zone, this group of two men and two women engaged in illicit liquor sales amidst the crowded Kanwar Yatra. Disguised as pilgrims themselves, they identified potential buyers within the gathering and sold alcohol at inflated prices, officials said. Upon receiving intelligence, police swiftly intervened, conducting a raid on their storage facility and seizing the illegal liquor.

During the Kanwar Yatra, a significant religious pilgrimage where devotees traditionally carry Gangajal (water from the Ganges) in symbolic vessels, some unscrupulous elements disguised themselves as Kanwar pilgrims and took advantage of the occasion to supply liquor disguised in bottles typically used by pilgrims. This deceitful practice not only violates local regulations but also poses a threat to the sanctity of the religious event.

Har Ki Pauri has been designated a dry zone by authorities, prohibiting the consumption and sale of alcohol in the area. Despite these regulations, incidents of illegal alcohol distribution continue to surface during major gatherings like the Kanwar Yatra, prompting stringent actions from law enforcement to maintain order and uphold religious sentiments.