Massive backlash forces excise officials to close residential-area liquor outlet within hours of opening; questions raised over procedural lapses
Published on: November 13, 2025
By: BTNI
Location: Rajnandgaon, India
A dramatic episode unfolded in Rajnandgaon when the Excise Department’s attempt to open a second premium wine shop backfired overnight. The department, which had quietly inaugurated the outlet in a residential area late Tuesday night, was forced to shut it down by morning after furious residents took to the streets in protest.
According to sources, the Excise Department had been struggling for months to find a suitable location for the new premium liquor store. While one such outlet already operates at Bhadoria Chowk, officials hastily moved stock to a new site in Mahavir Colony (Nandai Road) late at night — without public notice or consultation.
Public outrage at dawn
By morning, residents discovered that a liquor shop had been set up in their neighborhood, triggering widespread anger. Mahavir Colony is a fully residential zone, and locals strongly objected to the move.
“This is a family area with schools nearby — opening a liquor shop here is unacceptable,” said Suyash Jain (Chopra), a resident leading the protest.
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Within hours, a large crowd of residents, local traders, and social groups gathered. The protest drew the attention of Basantpur Police Station officers, Tehsildar, Naib Tehsildar, media personnel, and excise officials who rushed to the site to control the situation.
Administrative retreat under public pressure
Amid mounting outrage, Assistant Excise Officer Kusumlata Johle arrived at the spot and held urgent discussions with senior officials. Facing intense public pressure, she ordered the immediate closure of the shop and assured locals that the outlet “would not reopen at this location.”
‘One-hour shop’ with zero sales
Reports suggest that the shop operated for barely an hour and made no sales during that time. With growing protests and media scrutiny, authorities had little choice but to backtrack.
The incident has sparked serious questions about the functioning of the Excise Department — particularly its decision to open a liquor shop in a residential area without proper public notice, safety clearance, or local consent.
Residents are calling the event a textbook example of “bureaucratic haste and disregard for public sentiment.”
