Samastipur (Bihar), Sept 7: A 25-year-old woman was arrested after 75 litres of branded liquor were allegedly recovered from two suitcases in the AC First Class coach of the Swatantrata Senani Express at Samastipur railway station, officials said.
The accused, identified as Neha Jha, a resident of Bari village under Singhia police station in Samastipur district, was allegedly travelling without a valid ticket. Her brother-in-law, Ishan Kumar, who was accompanying her, was also found without a ticket, according to the information available.
The seizure was made after teams of the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and the Crime Intelligence Bureau (CIB) received confidential information from Varanasi about a woman allegedly carrying liquor on the train.
The teams searched the H-1 coach of the New Delhi-Jaynagar 12562 Swatantrata Senani Express after it reached Samastipur. They subsequently reached coupe number seven, which was locked at the time.
After the occupants opened the coupe, the personnel searched the luggage and found two suitcases containing several bottles of branded liquor, totalling around 75 litres, the information said.
Neha initially claimed that the AC First Class berth had been booked in Ishan’s name. However, investigators found that Ishan too did not possess a valid ticket.
Following questioning and completion of legal formalities, the RPF handed over Neha and Ishan to the Government Railway Police (GRP) for further investigation.
During questioning, Neha allegedly told investigators that she had purchased the liquor in Haryana and was taking it to attend a wedding ceremony.
«“I purchased the liquor in Haryana and was bringing it for a wedding ceremony,” she allegedly told police.»
Investigators, however, are verifying the claim and examining whether the consignment was actually intended for a wedding or was being transported for illegal distribution in Bihar, where liquor prohibition is in force.
The seizure has also widened the probe into a suspected liquor supply network in Darbhanga. Police are investigating allegations that Neha had been posing as a medical representative while allegedly supplying branded liquor to doctors and other influential people.
Investigators are analysing the mobile phone details of Neha and Ishan to trace their contacts, movements and possible links with other persons involved in the suspected network. Officials are also trying to determine whether the seized consignment was an isolated case or part of a wider liquor-smuggling operation.
Police have also found alleged liquor-related cases involving members of Neha’s family.
Her father, Sanjay Jha, who was earlier engaged in farming, had previously been arrested by Singhia police in a liquor-smuggling case and sent to jail, according to the information gathered by investigators.
Her elder sister Nishu Jha was also arrested by the Darbhanga Excise Department on November 30, 2025, allegedly with 21 litres of foreign liquor and was subsequently jailed.
Neha is reportedly the youngest of four sisters. Another sister, Anju Jha, works at a diagnostic centre in Darbhanga, while the fourth sister, Anshu Jha, is married to Ishan Kumar, who was travelling with Neha when the latest seizure was made.
Police also said Neha had completed her graduation from KS College in Darbhanga.
The investigation is now focused on establishing the source and intended destination of the liquor and identifying any persons who may have been purchasing, facilitating or distributing it.
Authorities are also examining the mobile phone records of the accused to determine the extent of their alleged links to the suspected supply network.
