2 hrs ago
Fake liquor deaths expose suspected cross-border network in Madhya Pradesh
At least 12 people died in Sagar district after allegedly drinking illegal liquor.
The liquor may have been made in Lalitpur, Uttar Pradesh.
Investigators believe it was placed in bottles designed to look like genuine Madhya Pradesh brands.
The bottles may have crossed the state border in small deliveries.
Some of the alcohol may then have been sold through local shops or roadside sellers.
This could have made buyers think they were purchasing real liquor.
Police are trying to find everyone involved in the supply chain.
Officials have suspended five personnel and arrested 14 suspects.
At least 12 people died after allegedly consuming illicit liquor in Sagar district, Madhya Pradesh.
Investigators suspect a Lalitpur-based gang made counterfeit liquor and copied Madhya Pradesh brand packaging.
The suspected alcohol may have crossed from Uttar Pradesh through small consignments and entered local sales channels.
Police are investigating intermediaries, including an agent linked to a licensed liquor seller.
Three Excise officials and two police personnel were suspended; 14 of 30 named accused were arrested.
- Who
- At least 12 victims, suspected counterfeit-liquor manufacturers in Lalitpur, intermediaries, local sellers, and officials are involved in the investigation.
- What
- A suspected counterfeit-liquor network allegedly supplied spurious alcohol that killed at least 12 people.
- Where
- The victims were primarily from Nauraj and Gogra villages in Sagar district, Madhya Pradesh; investigators suspect the supply originated in Lalitpur, Uttar Pradesh.
- When
- The deaths occurred Saturday; 14 arrests had been made by Monday morning.
- Why
- Investigators believe counterfeit liquor was made to resemble established Madhya Pradesh brands and sold through local channels.
Key facts
- Deaths
- At least 12 people died.
- Location of incident
- Sagar district, Madhya Pradesh.
- Suspected source
- A Lalitpur-based operation in Uttar Pradesh.
- Counterfeit packaging
- Bottles allegedly carried labels, caps, and QR codes resembling established brands.
- Arrests
- Police named 30 accused and arrested 14 by Monday morning.
- Disciplinary action
- Three Excise officials and two police personnel were suspended; the Area Deputy Commissioner was attached to headquarters.
- Cases
- Police registered three FIRs.
Quotes
Anurag Sujaniya
Sagar Superintendent of Police overseeing the preliminary investigation
“They manufacture spurious liquor mimicking Madhya Pradesh brands and distribute it here”
indianexpress.com
Senior police officer
Police officer experienced in investigating counterfeit-liquor operations
“In one case, when we cracked down on a hideout, we found the counterfeit liquor was being made in Uttar Pradesh, packed in bottles carrying the labels, caps and even QR codes of established brands and then sent into Madhya Pradesh, where it was allegedly sold through liquor outlets and roadside establishments”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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