Ludhiana, March 23 -- The excise department on Saturday busted a racked refilling premium scotch and whiskey bottles with low-quality and cheap alcohol, officials said, adding that the team arrested the key accused's wife even as he managed to escape.

The officials said Arun Goswami, the mastermind, managed to escape from the spot.

The excise team recovered 176 caps of expensive liquor bottles, 89 bottles of adulterated liquor filled in bottles of expensive brands, 164 bottles of cheap liquor and 171 empty bottle of expensive brands, the officials said.

They said 71 of the 164 bottled of cheap liquor were without QR codes.

The officials said Arun Goswami is already facing a trial in a case of illicit liquor smuggling.

Excise commissi...