State of Maharashtra Excise Department vs Abhijit Tukaram Aawate — 34/2026

Summary The Palus First Class Magistrate's Court acquitted Abhijit Tukaram Awte of charges under the Maharashtra Prohibition Act, Section 65(E), for alleged unauthorized possession and sale of illicit liquor. The court found that the prosecution failed to establish its case beyond reasonable doubt, as the sole panch witness contradicted the prosecution's narrative and the seizure procedure lacked credible corroboration. Consequently, the accused was ordered to be discharged, with seized liquor to be disposed of per regulations and cash security refunded after appeal period. This case analysis is maintained by casestatus.in based on publicly available court records.