Ravi Lakhera, the main suspect in the spurious liquor case in Banda, Madhya Pradesh, was apprehended by police during an encounter on Friday morning. Lakhera was wanted in connection with the case and had a reward of ₹30,000 for his capture.
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.
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. Lakhera was involved in preparing and supplying the lethal formula for toxic liquor, according to the police probe. Additional superintendent of police, Jaiveer Singh Bhadoriya said, “We are probing the source of the industrial chemicals, possible protection from distilleries, and the syndicate supplying counterfeit bottles, caps, holograms, and labels.
Lakhera, originally from Mahoba in Chhatarpur district and residing in Lalitpur, Uttar Pradesh, had earlier been arrested in connection with an illicit liquor factory.
