Cheap ‘Kanjar whisky’ at ₹30 thrives in Bhind:Seven-home network sells illegal liquor openly from cots and bags

An illegal liquor trade is running openly from a Kanjar settlement near Rehkola Mata Temple in the Daboh area, around 85 km from Bhind. Locally known as “Kanjar whisky”, the raw liquor is sold for just Rs 30 (around 30 pence) per pouch. A ground report by a news team revealed that the settlement is not just a small illicit outlet, but part of a structured and organised network involving multiple households. Entry into the settlement After nearly ten days of preparation, the reporting team entered the settlement posing as social workers. On arrival, it became clear that outsiders are closely watched. Women were seen managing activities inside the settlement. Conversations stopped as soon as the team entered, and immediate questions were asked about their identity and purpose. The settlement has six to seven permanent houses. During the day, most men are absent. Women and children remain and manage the daily operations. How the liquor is sold The liquor is not sold from a visible shop. Instead, the system is discreet but well organised. On the day a particular house is assigned to sell, a cot is placed outside with a bag on it. Inside the bag are 8–10 plastic pouches filled with country-made liquor. The bag acts as a signal for customers. A woman or child takes the money and hands over a pouch. If they are busy, customers reportedly take a pouch themselves and leave the cash in the bag. Each pouch costs ₹30. There is no visible fear or secrecy during the transaction. Women in the settlement admitted that selling liquor is their only source of income. They said only a few pouches are sold daily to manage household expenses. Weekly rotation system The illegal trade operates without internal disputes. There are seven houses involved, and each house gets a fixed day of the week to sell liquor. For example, one house sells on Monday, another on Tuesday, and so on. On any given day, only one house operates, preventing competition or conflict. Where does the liquor come from? When asked about the source of the liquor, the women initially avoided answering. Later, one admitted that some of the liquor is made by them, while some comes from outside. Locals claimed that men prepare the liquor in nearby ravines during the day. At night, stock is hidden in pits dug in surrounding fields and retrieved as needed. No large stock is kept openly inside the settlement. Alleged link to liquor contractors Sources alleged that the operation may extend beyond local sales. Some individuals linked to licensed liquor contractors are said to purchase large quantities of the raw liquor. The liquor is reportedly repackaged into plastic bottles and pouches and distributed to nearby villages, where it is sold at two to four times the purchase price. It is alleged that some illegal sellers feel protected due to these links, while those who refuse to cooperate risk action through excise or police channels. These claims, however, remain unverified officially. Claims of no government support During conversations, residents said they have Aadhaar cards, PAN cards and bank accounts but no voter cards. They claimed they have not received benefits from government schemes such as housing, employment under MGNREGA or ration support. They said children attend government schools, but the families rely primarily on liquor sales for survival. Larger questions The settlement operates openly despite awareness in the surrounding area. The key question raised by the report is not only why the liquor is being sold, but why enforcement action appears absent despite the visibility of the operation. Authorities have not yet issued an official response regarding the findings.