Karni Sena Leader Linked to Spurious Liquor Network in Sagar, India

9:04 PM ETDeveloping

Health Desk

In Short: Police in Madhya Pradesh, India, have uncovered a network involving a Karni Sena leader and a history-sheeter in the production and distribution of spurious liquor that has claimed 15 lives.

Police in Madhya Pradesh, India, have uncovered a network involving a Karni Sena leader and a history-sheeter in the production and distribution of spurious liquor that has claimed 15 lives. According to Sagar Superintendent of Police Anurag Sujaniya, Chandrabhan Singh, the divisional president of Karni Sena, worked with Manish Lodhi, a licensed liquor contractor, and Shivanjay Rajput, Chandrabhan’s relative, to produce the liquor using spirit brought to a maize field. The network allegedly sourced materials and manufactured the illicit liquor, packaging it as a familiar brand and pushing it through a network of sellers into villages.

Upon questioning the accused, it was revealed that the Divisional President of Karni Sena, Chandrabhan Singh, his associate Manish Lodhi, and a distant relative named Shivanjay had collaborated to produce the liquor using spirit brought to a maize field," Sujaniya said. "A country-made 12-bore pistol, cartridges, spent casings, and a motorcycle were recovered, while two alleged accomplices escaped in the darkness.

The suspected spurious-liquor tragedy in Madhya Pradesh’s Sagar district has claimed 15 lives, according to police, with several others falling ill after consuming liquor in villages including Nauraj, Patan, Ghooghra Khurd, and Bamura. Around 50 cases of liquor carrying the Sagar Gold label were prepared and subsequently moved into a nearby village.

What's still developing

The police say the alleged network did not simply disappear once the first deaths were reported.
The investigation then led police to Ravi Lakhera, a 45-year-old alleged history-sheeter and smuggler who had been wanted in connection with the case.

Sources

The Indian Expresslink