Prohibition and Excise
Alcohol‑Related Offences & Forensic Analysis
Ethyl alcohol is a drug of addiction linked to significant morbidity and mortality. To curb alcohol‑related crimes, consumption without a valid permit and unauthorized possession, sale, export, or import of alcohol‑containing beverages are offences under the Bombay Prohibition Act. This division examines seized liquors, denatured spirits, and biological samples, and performs quantitative alcohol assay using a Densitometer along with case‑appropriate chemistry.
Division Scope
Assay of excise samples, illicit liquor detection, denatured spirit tampering checks, and blood alcohol analysis for legal cases.
Division & Subject Head :
Shri .V .V .Patil
Designation :
Deputy Director
Email :
vasudev.patil@mah.gov.in
Phone :
91 9930153262
Legal Framework & Typical Violations
Permit & Possession Offences
Drinking without a valid permit and unlawful possession/sale/export/import of alcoholic beverages.
Section 65(f)
Manufacture of illicit liquor from wash samples.
Section 67(A)
Making denatured spirit unfit for human consumption by adding poisonous substances (e.g., methyl alcohol); tampering with preparations by adding French polish/varnishes for commercial misuse.
Division Services
Alcohol Assay of Excise Samples
Quantification by Densitometer; compliance with excise standards.
Illicit Liquor Detection
Identification of country liquor & adulterants; potency & safety checks.
Denatured Spirit Examination
Detection of poisonous additives (e.g., methyl alcohol) and tampering.
Blood Alcohol Analysis
For cases under the Motor Vehicles Act (rash/drunken driving) and IPC sections 302, 307, 304(A), 376.
Excise Sample Verification
Indian‑made foreign liquor (duty paid) and other seized samples.
Reporting & Court Support
Clear, court‑ready findings with method references & uncertainty statements.
Samples & Core Instrumentation
Seized Liquor Samples
Country liquor; Indian‑made foreign liquor; suspected illicit & adulterated products.
Denatured Spirits
Assessment for toxic adulterants and misuse (e.g., methyl alcohol).
Blood Samples
Analysis for alcohol concentration in criminal and traffic offences.
Densitometer
Primary instrument for alcohol assay of excise samples.
Examination Workflow
Receipt & Registration
Unique IDs, seal verification, and evidence logging.
Preliminary Screening
Visual/odor checks, rapid tests where appropriate.
Alcohol Assay
Densitometric quantification; cross‑checks as required.
Denatured Spirit / Adulterant Tests
Checks for poisonous additives and commercial tampering.
Reporting & Court Support
Clear, court‑ready conclusions with method references & uncertainties.
Chain‑of‑Custody & Compliance
Secure handling & documentation at every transfer step.
Public Safety Impact:
Supports enforcement of prohibition laws, prevents toxicity from adulterated spirits, and provides reliable evidence for offences involving alcohol, including traffic and criminal cases.