Ex RJD MLC Subodh Rai held in illegal liquor network

Pioneer News Service
Ranchi

A joint raid by Ranchi Police and the Excise Department Tarangani Liquors Private Limited in Ormanjhi, Ranchi, uncovered a major illegal liquor network. During the raid, former Bihar MLC and RJD leader Subodh Rai, his driver Devendra Bhagat, and another employee, Ravikant Rai, were arrested on the spot. Following their arrest, all three were sent to Birsa Munda Central Jail in judicial custody on Wednesday evening.

The raid was led by Assistant Excise Commissioner Umashankar Singh. The operation began at 12 midnight and continued until 6 am on Wednesday. It is alleged that the plant was manufacturing illicit liquor imitating well-known companies’ brands and then selling it in the market at half the price by affixing fake labels of other well-known brands.

The investigation revealed that three different brands of illicit liquor were being manufactured at the plant, including 8 PM, After Dark, and other brands. These bottles were labeled “For Sale in Uttar Pradesh and Delhi.” The Excise Department believes that the bottles were being sold using Uttar Pradesh and Delhi labels.

During the operation, the team seized a large quantity of liquor and beer. These included: Kingfisher Strong Premium Beer – 70 cases (each case containing 24 cans). After Dark Blue – 218 cases (each case containing 48 bottles). 8 PM – 7 cases (each case containing 48 bottles). Royalson Gold Whiskey – 78 cases.

The investigation revealed that the After Dark and 8 PM bottles were marked “For Sale in Uttar Pradesh,” while the Royalson Gold Whiskey was marked “For Sale in Delhi.”

Former RJD MLC Subodh Rai is originally from Pojha village in the Goraul police station area. In the 2015 Bihar Assembly elections, he was nominated by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) as its candidate for the Legislative Council of the Vaishali Local Authority. At that time, he defeated NDA-backed candidate Ajay Kushwaha. During his six-year tenure, Subodh Rai established a strong presence within the RJD and became a confidant of the then Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council, Rabri Devi. However, in the 2022 Legislative Council elections, he was defeated by NDA-backed RLJP candidate Bhushan Rai.