Liquor Scam Shocker: ₹11 Crore Cash Seized from Guesthouse in Massive Raid
In a major breakthrough in the liquor scam probe, authorities seized ₹11 crore in cash from a guesthouse during a high-profile raid. Investigation underway as links to political and business circles emerge
In one of the most explosive developments yet in the ongoing nationwide liquor scam probe, enforcement agencies have seized a staggering ₹11 crore in unaccounted cash from a luxury guesthouse during a high-stakes raid. The discovery has sent shockwaves through political and corporate circles, as investigators believe the guesthouse was a key meeting point and storage hub for funds linked to the multi-crore liquor licensing racket that has been under the scanner for months.
The dramatic raid, which unfolded over nearly 14 hours, was carried out by a joint team of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Income Tax Department, based on inputs gathered from digital forensics, intercepted calls, and financial intelligence reports.
The guesthouse, located in a posh neighborhood near a state capital (undisclosed for legal reasons), had long flown under the radar. Officials said it was rented under a proxy name, but surveillance footage and informant inputs led agencies to believe that it was frequently visited by individuals associated with high-level lobbying in the liquor industry.
When enforcement teams stormed the building at dawn, they found locked trunks, concealed compartments in walls and flooring, and luxury safes hidden behind false panels. In total, ₹11 crore in high-denomination currency — mostly ₹2,000 and ₹500 notes — was recovered. Cash-counting machines had to be brought in, and the process reportedly took over 7 hours.
Officials are calling it one of the largest cash seizures in connection with the liquor licensing scam that first came to light in early 2024.
This seizure comes as part of a broader investigation into what is now being termed “LiquorGate 2024-25,” a large-scale scam involving the manipulation of excise licenses, cartelization of liquor distribution, and alleged political kickbacks.
According to sources, the scam involved:
Manipulated tenders and allotments in several states.
Bribery of bureaucrats and elected officials to secure prime liquor licenses.
Shell companies used to route bribe money and illegal earnings.
Massive evasion of excise duties through underreporting of production and distribution volumes.
The ₹11 crore recovered is believed to be just a fraction of the total illicit proceeds, which are estimated to be well over ₹500 crore across various states, including Delhi, Telangana, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, and Punjab.
Preliminary records show that the guesthouse was registered under a non-existent real estate company, which itself was a front for a chain of shell entities based in Dubai and Singapore. Investigators believe the property was maintained exclusively for storage and “meetings” between agents, lobbyists, and intermediaries.
One enforcement official stated:
“This was not just a hideout — it was an operations base. We found documents, handwritten notes, duplicate mobile phones, and even surveillance-jamming equipment.”
Several employees who were detained during the raid confessed that they were paid in cash to maintain secrecy, avoid digital records, and deny entry to any outsiders without prior clearance.
The discovery has already sparked a political firestorm, with opposition leaders demanding an investigation into high-ranking politicians allegedly involved in the scam.
Congress spokesperson Priyanka Patil said in a press conference:
“₹11 crore stashed in one guesthouse is not possible without political protection. This is just the tip of the iceberg. We demand that the Prime Minister and Home Minister order a transparent, court-monitored probe.”
The BJP, meanwhile, has accused rival state governments of shielding liquor mafias and promised an impartial probe. Party General Secretary Ravi Shankar Singh remarked:
“Those who benefitted from the liquor mafia should be exposed, regardless of party or position. The recovery of ₹11 crore in unaccounted cash is not only criminal but anti-national.”
Following the seizure, the ED is likely to summon several liquor barons, bureaucrats, and political aides believed to be connected with the racket. Sources suggest that mobile phones and hard drives recovered from the guesthouse are being forensically examined for messages, call records, and payment trails.
Officials also plan to:
Trace the cash back to individuals and companies through bank withdrawals and hawala links.
Examine real estate transactions conducted by those linked to the guesthouse.
Investigate similar properties in other metros believed to have been used for illegal meetings or fund storage.
A Red Corner Notice may soon be issued against two Dubai-based businessmen allegedly orchestrating overseas money transfers for liquor syndicates.
The liquor industry, already under strain from tightening regulations, has reacted with alarm. A senior executive from a prominent beverage company, speaking on condition of anonymity, said:
“This kind of exposure damages the entire industry’s credibility. Legitimate players are now being clubbed with criminal networks.”
Meanwhile, public sentiment online has been one of outrage, with social media flooded with trending hashtags like #LiquorScam, #CashSeizure, and #CorruptionRaid.
With ₹11 crore in hard cash recovered, the liquor scam probe has entered a new, explosive phase. Investigators believe this may lead to multiple arrests, possible resignations, and even international cooperation requests to trace black money routed through offshore accounts.
As enforcement agencies prepare to make high-profile summons and disclosures in the coming days, the scandal is set to dominate national headlines — and possibly disrupt the political narrative ahead of the 2025 state elections.
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