₹63 lakh fake liquor materials seized in Siliguri, EC suspects voter inducement bid

In a significant pre-election crackdown, the Excise Department in Siliguri has seized counterfeit liquor manufacturing materials worth over ₹62 lakh, triggering concerns of a possible attempt to influence voters. Acting on a tip-off, officials recovered 1,560 litres of OP spirit—considered a key ingredient in producing fake alcohol—along with other packaging materials used to pass off the product as branded liquor.

The seized items included fake labels of two popular liquor brands, numbering over 17,000 in total, along with 984 counterfeit holograms, 440 bottle caps, and 35 empty plastic bottles. Officials clarified that no ready-to-sell liquor was found at the site, indicating that the setup was intended purely for production and packaging of counterfeit alcohol.

Preliminary findings suggest that the alleged plan involved manufacturing liquor using the seized spirit, bottling it, and affixing fake labels and holograms to sell it as legitimate branded alcohol. Authorities suspect that such liquor could have been distributed among voters as an inducement during the upcoming Assembly elections.

The Election Commission has been alerted and has intensified surveillance, citing concerns over both electoral malpractice and public health risks. With polling scheduled in two phases on April 23 and April 29, officials have reiterated their commitment to ensuring free and fair elections while preventing illegal activities that could endanger lives.