The prime accused in Madhya Pradesh’s Banda spurious liquor case was arrested after an encounter with police on Friday morning. The accused, Ravi Lakhera was carrying a ₹ 30,000 reward.
Acting swiftly, Banda police station town inspector Anand Singh and Baraytha town inspector Arvind Singh led teams to cordon off the forest area. When confronted, Lakhera opened fire at least three rounds at the police. Officers returned fire, injuring him before arresting him. State chief minister Mohan Yadav lauded the prompt police action taken to arrest the accused. “Negligence at any level will not be tolerated. Strict action is being taken against those involved in the incident.
The death toll in the hooch tragedy has touched 16. So far, 17 people have been arrested while 13 are absconding.
Sagar superintendent of police (SP) Anurag Sujania said, “Barayatha police received information that Lakhera was hiding near Hanuman Tong Temple along the Banda Barayatha road. A campaign against substance abuse is also underway, and those in the narcotics trade will face severe consequences like Lakhera”, he said. Lakhera was involved in preparing and supplying the lethal formula for toxic liquor, according to the police probe.
Lakhera, who has 25 criminal cases registered against him, was injured in the leg during the exchange of fire and taken to hospital for treatment.
