The Madhya Pradesh government has established a single-member judicial commission to investigate the recent deaths linked to spurious liquor in Sagar. This tragic incident occurred earlier this month, prompting the government to take immediate action to address the situation and seek accountability.
Retired high court Justice Vishnu Pratap Singh Chauhan will conduct the probe, a government order issued on Tuesday, said, adding that the commission will investigate the cause and circumstances of the deaths and illnesses caused by illegal liquor. Meanwhile, a team from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) met the victims’ families on Tuesday and directed the police to take strict action in the matter, PTI reported. The prime accused in the liquor case, Ravi Lakhera, was arrested after an encounter with police on Friday.
It will investigate the role and negligence of excise, police and other responsible officers in the area and propose measures to prevent such incidents in the future. Chauhan has been directed to submit the report within three months. The team asked the police to immediately record the statements of the victims’ kin as some of them claimed that it had not yet been done, NHRC member Priyank Kanoongo was quoted by PTI as saying. 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.
The accused was carrying a ₹ 30,000 reward. at least 30 are absconding, police said While 19 persons have been arrested so far.
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.
