A probe into the killing of a police officer during a late-night vehicle check in Madhya Pradesh on Sunday has led investigators to an interstate liquor-smuggling syndicate, with links in Gujarat, a dry state, officials said.
The network, the Madhya Pradesh officials added, used licensed liquor outlets, concealed transport routes and specially modified vehicles to ferry illicit consignments across state borders. The role of seven people, including a Gujarat-based operator and a Congress leader from Harda, have so far emerged in the probe that was initiated after Khategaon police station in-charge Dilip Puri was allegedly run over while attempting to inspect a truck carrying illegal liquor. The Congress leader are among those arrested. “Police officials have been instructed to take concerted action across the entire state to curb the transportation, storage, and sale of illicit liquor. The police had received information on the transportation of a large consignment of illicit liquor from Timarni in Harda district to Gujarat, prompting Puri to approach the truck that was parked near a dhaba for an inspection. Constable Sohan Jat was injured when the driver allegedly attempted to run him over. The truck was later found abandoned near Sandalpur and subsequently seized. “The liquor allegedly originated from shops in Timarni operated under licences linked to one Patendra Jaiswal. Escort vehicles were also used to monitor police movement and facilitate the safe passage of the consignments. Truck driver Gajendra alias Akku Rawat of Alirajpur has been accused of mowing down Puri. He was arrested from Alirajpur two days after the incident, following a brief encounter with the Dewas police.
More than 1,800 litres of liquor concealed in secret compartments inside the vehicle was recovered, the police said. Investigations suggested the syndicate procured liquor through licensed outlets in Madhya Pradesh to send it to Gujarat, where an alcohol ban has been in force since 1960.
Strict action should be taken against anyone found to be involved in these activities,” he said. The driver accelerated the vehicle and deliberately ran over Puri to escape, according to the police. The stock was siphoned off and transported through a structured network involving suppliers, transporters and distributors,” special director general of police Upendra Jain said. The smugglers allegedly used trucks fitted with chambers to conceal the liquor cartons beneath legitimate cargo, the investigators said. “The liquor was reportedly transported through western Madhya Pradesh districts before being handed over for further movement towards Gujarat,” said an investigating officer, seeking anonymity.
On Tuesday, chief minister Mohan Yadav held a special meeting and directed police personnel to initiate action against the liquor mafia in the state. Puri was allegedly run over by a truck that was evading inspection on the Indore-Betul highway near Sandalpur Phata in Dewas district late on Sunday, officials said.
