Govt set to crackdown on online sites selling liquor

The booming e-commerce trade for apparels and groceries might have been welcomed across the country but selling liquor and buying online might land you in jail, with the Delhi government set to crackdown on such transactions.

Delhi government’s Excise Department has come across certain websites offering online liquor shopping and has recently caught a person supplying Haryana liquor in Delhi through the mode at cheaper rates.

“As per Delhi Excise Act, selling liquor online, made in Delhi or Haryana, is not allowed in the national Capital. We have directed our staff to keep a tight vigil on websites offering <g data-gr-id="20">online</g> sale of liquor and take strict action against those involved in such e-commerce business,” a senior government official said.

The official also said that the Excise Department has sent a list of four-five websites, which offer online liquor shopping, to the Cyber Cell of Delhi Police to arrest their owners.

According to the department, buying liquor online is not safe as the liquor might be spurious. “In the past months, we busted several gangs which sold spurious liquor with prominent brand levels,” added the official.

“Selling or buying liquor online is an offence under the Excise Act. Under Section 33, a person involved in such business may face an imprisonment of three years or Rs one lakh fine or both,” the official said.