Madhya Pradesh Police Uncover Inter-State Hooch Racket with Delhi Link After Sagar Tragedy

Madhya Pradesh Police have uncovered an extensive counterfeit liquor manufacturing network stretching from rural districts to the national capital following a deadly hooch tragedy that claimed at least 20 lives in Sagar district earlier this month. Investigators have arrested 37 people out of 52 named suspects, with 14 arrests executed over a consecutive two-day period as law enforcement traced industrial chemicals used in the spurious brew back to a Delhi-based supplier. The ongoing operation, directed by Inspector General Irshad Wali and Sagar Superintendent of Police Anurag Sujania, began after local police received alarming reports on September 6 regarding sudden illnesses and fatalities among residents who consumed liquor in villages situated within the Banda police station jurisdiction. Cases were subsequently registered at the Banda and Vinayaka police stations, prompting the formation of specialized investigative teams to map out the illicit manufacturing pipeline.

Investigators pursuing the source of the lethal brew discovered that five plastic drums containing industrial liquid had been shipped from Delhi to Madhya Pradesh via a commercial transporter. A police team dispatched to the capital tracked the transport vehicle and questioned the proprietor of the chemical company, who is now accused of supplying raw industrial spirit to the counterfeit syndicate. The manufacturing operation itself was centered in Tatarwara village, where suspects allegedly brought raw chemicals, empty bottles, plastic caps, and cartons to prepare and package the spurious liquor inside a residential dwelling. Raids conducted in Gwalior further exposed specialized industrial machinery, including bottling moulds and sealing equipment capable of producing 180-ml bottles on a commercial scale, alongside a stash of 11,050 empty containers. This hardware recovery confirmed that the syndicate possessed autonomous bottling capabilities rather than relying solely on refilling discarded branded bottles.

The syndicate attempted to normalize its illicit operations by forging operational ties with licensed alcohol vendors. Officials stated that suspects established contact with liquor contractors operating in Vinayaka and Banda to facilitate the distribution of the counterfeit product under the guise of authorized trade. The finished spurious liquor was subsequently channelled through commission agents and local contacts into surrounding rural settlements, including Nauraj, Gugra, Chhapri, Jagthar, Bamurabheda, and Patan. Investigators examining the background of the arrested individuals found that several suspects possess extensive criminal records spanning multiple districts. Key accused figures such as Chandrabhan Rajput, also known as Chandu, face multiple prior cases registered across Banda, Deori, and Kesli dating back to 2006, while another suspect, Banti Sharma, is wanted under previous Excise Act and Arms Act proceedings in Morena and Gwalior. Police continue to gather intelligence regarding prior illicit operations connected to the syndicate members while examining how finished alcohol entered retail channels. The investigation remains focused on financial backers, transport arrangers, and broader regional associates.