Excise Dept. registers 2.04 lakh cases in three years; ₹102 cr. worth of goods seized

The Excise Department has registered 2.04 lakh cases under various categories over the last three years — 2022 – 23, 2023-24, and 2024-25— and seized goods worth over ₹102 crore. Over 1.92 lakh people have been arrested for several offences and later released on bail.

The department primarily registers cases under the Karnataka Excise Act, 1965, in three categories — Heinous, Breach of License Conditions (BLC), and Section 15(A) (allowing or consuming liquor in an unlicensed public place). The seizures included duplicate liquor, toddy, and vehicles among others.  

In 2022-23, a total of 46,778 cases were booked, while in 2023–24, 83,425 cases were booked. In 2024 – 25, the officials registered 73,942 cases.

“We have booked so many cases as enforcement has been strong at the taluk level. Many NGOs also create awareness among people who have been booked under Section 15(A),” said R. Venkatesh Kumar, Commissioner of Excise Department.

Outside MRP outlets

Around 1.43 lakh cases booked in the last three years have been under Section 15(A). These cases include people who stand outside MRP outlets and drink, which is an issue that has been flagged by many resident welfare associations over the years.

However, residents say that they often do not know whom to flag it to when they see people standing on pavements in front of liquor shops and consuming alcohol in the open, where even children move around. “We have even confronted the seller as to why he permits it, but he says he has no control once they walk out of the shop,” said Bhavana Murthy, a resident of Attur Layout. 

A senior official from the department claimed that when they register a case under Section 15(A), they book both the seller and consumer holding them equally responsible.

Breach of Licence Conditions

Further, 45,885 cases have been booked under BLC in three years. While the department officials say that any violation of the license regulations results in these cases, bar owners say they are harassed by excise officials when they are booked under BLC.

However, S. Guruswamy, president, Federation of Wine Merchants Association, Karnataka, claimed that they are sometimes booked for “silly issues” like opening the shop early for cleaning, while they blindside bigger offences in villages. “The enforcement is not strong at all in villages where they even sell illegal liquor. There are dhabas, military hotels, and even petty shops that sell liquor, but the officials turn a blind eye to them. The department officials always trouble the license holders, especially if we question their ways,” he said.

Published - June 03, 2025 07:52 pm IST