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Behind the chaos in liquor vend auctions in Haryana, gangsters, threats and a murder
An excise and taxation official confirmed that despite having completed five rounds of auctions, they have not been able to find bidders for nearly 260 outlets across 20 districts. Yamunanagar is the worst hit, where 45 out of 55 liquor zones have received no bids. The other districts where the problem is pronounced are Jind, Rohtak, Kurukshetra and Karnal.
The excise and taxation department, which has so far allotted only 934 of 1,200 liquor zones, is grappling with a significant shortfall in revenue due to the reluctance of bidders.
Gurugram: A wave of violent attacks and extortion threats targeting liquor contractors has plunged Haryana's liquor vend auctions into chaos, with nearly 260 outlets across 20 districts yet to find bidders, threatening the state's ambitious excise revenue target of Rs 14,063.91 crore for 2025–26.
The attacks on those in the liquor business, including the murder of liquor contractor Shantanu in Kurukshetra on 13 June, has instilled fear among traders, prompting the Haryana government to launch an aggressive crackdown on organised crime to restore confidence in the auction process.
The murder of Shantanu, a Jhajjar resident who recently purchased 18 liquor vends worth Rs 19 crore, and a subsequent attack on a contractor's residence in Yamunanagar have been linked to the Kala Rana-Noni Rana gang, which has been using henchmen and social media to intimidate bidders.
#WATCH | Delhi | Gunshots heard at encounter site where wanted criminal, Romil Vohra was killed in an encounter with Delhi Police Special Cell at Delhi-Haryana border today. Two police personnel were also injured during the encounter
The criminal, who was killed, had murdered a…
— ANI (@ANI) June 24, 2025
On 20 June, liquor contractor Virender Singh, also known as Binder, was shot dead in Jind's Kharkaramji village. A gangster aide of Lawrence Bishnoi, Rohit Godara, claimed responsibility on social media, but the Jind superintendent of police said the murder was likely due to a long-standing personal rivalry with the Rathee gang.
Dismissing Godara's claim as a 'publicity stunt', he said the killing was not directly linked to liquor business disputes. Before this, miscreants fired at liquor vends at Rohtak and Yamunanagar, and some vendors received threats.
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'High-octane drive' against gangsters
Addressing the crisis in a high-level review meeting last week, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini expressed concern over Shantanu's killing and directed Director General of Police (DGP) Shatrujeet Kapur to initiate a 'high-octane drive' against gangsters.
'Not a single gangster should remain active in the state,' Saini declared, emphasising that robust law and order is the government's top priority.
He ordered the strengthening of the State Task Force (STF) with additional manpower and resources and mandated immediate security for citizens reporting threats or extortion calls.
In a video posted on his 'X' handle on 19 June, Saini said, 'We have given the police a free hand to ensure that no mafia, gangster, or criminal running an organized crime syndicate is spared. Such anti-social elements should be eliminated through mission-mode operations, so that an atmosphere of peace and harmony can be established in society.'
Days later, on 24 June, Haryana Police, in a joint operation with Delhi Police's Special Cell, gunned down Romil Vohra, a sharpshooter of the Kala Rana-Noni Rani gang, in an encounter near the Delhi-Haryana border.
Vohra, wanted in multiple cases, including Shantanu's murder and a triple murder in Yamunanagar, carried a Rs 3.1 lakh reward. The BJP's Haryana unit hailed the operation on social media, signalling a tough stance against criminal networks.
However, contractors in the liquor business remain wary, citing persistent threats to stay away from auctions. The problem is more severe in Yamunanagar.
Haryana's Additional Chief Secretary (Home), Dr. Sumita Misra, on 24 June, chaired a law-and-order review meeting with Deputy Commissioners (DCs), Superintendents of Police (SPs) and District Excise and Taxation Commissioners from Yamunanagar, Kurukshetra, Jind, Hisar, Rohtak, Karnal and Ambala.
She urged potential bidders to participate without fear, assuring them of 'full administrative support and security'. Misra directed police and intelligence agencies to profile habitual troublemakers, maintain surveillance on suspicious movements, and deploy additional forces and video surveillance in vulnerable zones.
She warned that any laxity by officials would invite strict departmental action, emphasising the 'non-negotiable' integrity of the auction process. Misra also instructed DCs and SPs to hold direct dialogues with bidders to address their concerns, reinforcing the state's zero-tolerance policy toward interference.
(Edited by Sugita Katyal)
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