The Gujarat-Madhya Pradesh illegal liquor smuggling network has once again come under the spotlight, but this time, the exposure has come at the cost of a police officer’s life. An inspector in Madhya Pradesh’s Dewas district was allegedly crushed to death by a truck carrying illegal liquor, which was being transported from Madhya Pradesh to Gujarat.
The incident has once again raised questions about the illegal liquor trade between the two states, particularly when both Gujarat and parts of Madhya Pradesh have restrictions on alcohol sales.
The deceased officer has been identified as Inspector Dilip Puri, the in-charge of Khategaon police station in Dewas. He was killed while trying to stop an Eicher truck suspected of carrying a large consignment of illegal liquor.
What makes the case particularly significant is that the Madhya Pradesh government later confirmed that the liquor was being transported from Timarni in Harda district to Gujarat.
The incident took place in the early hours of November 3. Police had received information on the night of November 2 that a large quantity of illegal liquor was being transported from Timarni towards Gujarat.
Following instructions from the Additional Superintendent of Police (Kannod), four police teams were formed to intercept the vehicle.
During the search operation, at around 1:30 am, an Eicher truck carrying liquor was spotted parked in front of Narmada Dhaba near Sandalpur Phata.
Inspector Dilip Puri reached the spot and asked the driver to get out of the vehicle and allow the police to inspect it.
However, instead of cooperating, the driver allegedly drove the truck directly towards the inspector, crushing him before fleeing from the spot with the liquor consignment.
The driver also allegedly attempted to run over Constable Sohan Jat, who was present at the location. The constable sustained injuries in the incident.
Inspector Puri was seriously injured and later died during treatment.
Madhya Pradesh Government Confirms Liquor Was Headed To Gujarat
Following the incident, police launched a search operation to trace the truck and those involved in the smuggling network.
On Tuesday, the Madhya Pradesh government issued an official statement confirming that the illegal liquor consignment was being transported from Timarni in Harda district to Gujarat.
The vehicle involved was an Eicher Canter truck bearing registration number MP-43-H-4786. Police subsequently recovered and seized the vehicle along with the liquor.
An FIR was registered at Khategaon police station under Sections 103(1), 109(1), 121(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Section 34(2) of the Excise Act.
The investigation has led police to several people suspected of being part of the illegal liquor supply network.
Rahul Jaiswal, a resident of Timarni in Harda district, has been identified as the alleged mastermind behind the operation. Police have arrested him in connection with the case.
Keram Singh Changod, a resident of Alirajpur, has also been taken into custody. According to the investigation, he had allegedly arranged the truck for the driver, Gajendra alias Akku Rawat, who is also from Alirajpur.
Police have also arrested Vijay Rao, a resident of Indore.
The investigation has further revealed details about the ownership and shareholding of the liquor business allegedly linked to the network.
According to officials, the liquor contract was registered in the name of Patendra Jaiswal, a resident of Barwani. Rahul Jaiswal, Manish Jaiswal and Mohin Jaiswal reportedly held 30% shares each in the business, while Patendra held the remaining 10%.
Police suspect that Rahul Jaiswal was using three liquor shops to operate an illegal supply network.
Meanwhile, raids are being conducted across five districts to arrest the remaining accused. The Dewas Superintendent of Police has announced a cash reward of Rs 10,000 for anyone providing reliable information leading to the arrest of the absconding accused.
Not The First Time Illegal Liquor From MP Has Reached Gujarat
The latest incident has also brought back memories of another liquor tragedy in Gujarat earlier this year.
In August, 11 people died after consuming poisonous liquor in Bhavnagar district. The investigation into that case revealed that the alleged main accused involved in manufacturing and supplying the liquor was from Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh.
Gujarat Police subsequently arrested him from Ujjain.
The two incidents have once again drawn attention to the movement of illegal liquor from Madhya Pradesh into Gujarat, a state where alcohol sales and consumption are largely prohibited.
The incident has also triggered a political reaction, with Madhya Pradesh Congress president Jitu Patwari criticising the governments in both states.
Calling the situation an example of the contradiction in the BJP’s ‘New India’, Patwari pointed out that alcohol prohibition officially exists in both places connected to the illegal liquor trade.
He highlighted that Gujarat has a complete prohibition policy, while Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav has also announced a complete ban on liquor sales in Ujjain.
Patwari referred to the earlier Bhavnagar tragedy, in which the Gujarat Police investigation reportedly traced the poisonous liquor supply to Ujjain.
He questioned how illegal liquor could continue moving between states despite official restrictions on its sale.
Both Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh are governed by the BJP, making the issue politically significant.
Prohibition On Paper, Illegal Supply On The Ground?
The death of Inspector Dilip Puri has brought the illegal liquor trade between Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh back into focus.
While Gujarat has maintained prohibition for decades, repeated cases of illegal liquor supply and deaths linked to poisonous alcohol have raised questions about how effectively the ban is being enforced.
The latest case is particularly serious because an officer lost his life while trying to stop an illegal consignment allegedly headed towards Gujarat.
With multiple arrests already made and raids continuing across five districts, the investigation is expected to reveal more about the people and businesses operating behind the supply network.
For now, the case raises a larger question: if alcohol is prohibited, how are such large consignments continuing to move across state borders?
Also Read: Mumbai Flyers Alert: 14 International Routes May Shift To Navi Mumbai From March 2027
