Alleged Liquor Smuggler Pravesh Yadav Arrested in Prayagraj During Maha Kumbh Holy Dip

A large number of devotees gathered in Prayagraj on Sunday for the Maha Kumbh, seeking spiritual cleansing through a holy dip at the Sangam. Among them was 22-year-old Pravesh Yadav, who had different intentions. Yadav, wanted for liquor smuggling since July 2023, was captured by police in the Civil Lines area due to heightened surveillance, according to a police official.

Police Surveillance Leads to Arrest

Superintendent of Police Abhimanyu Manglik provided details about Yadav's arrest. He explained that Yadav hails from Alwar district in Rajasthan and had been evading capture for over a year. On July 29, 2023, during a vehicle check on National Highway-19, authorities discovered adulterated liquor intended for smuggling from Alwar to Bihar.

Pradeep Yadav and Raj Domoliya were apprehended in the Unj police station area of Bhadohi during this operation. However, Pravesh Yadav managed to escape at that time. All three individuals are from Alwar district and have been involved in illegal liquor smuggling activities in Bihar for an extended period, Manglik alleged.

Legal Charges and Implications

The police registered a case against the accused under several sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including 419 for cheating by personation and 420 for cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property. Other charges include 468 for forgery for the purpose of cheating and 471 for using as genuine a forged document or electronic record.

Additional charges under sections 272 and 273 relate to adulteration and sale of noxious food or drink. Section 207 addresses fraudulent claims to property to prevent its seizure as forfeited or in execution. The Excise Act and Gangster Act were also invoked against them, according to police statements.

Yadav's visit to Prayagraj was intended for a religious ritual but ended with his arrest due to effective police monitoring. This incident highlights the importance of vigilance during large gatherings, ensuring that individuals with criminal backgrounds are apprehended promptly.