Police inspector killed by liquor truck in Madhya Pradesh's Dewas district
Khategaon station incharge Dilip Puri died after a truck allegedly ran over him while he was intercepting a vehicle carrying illicit liquor.
A police inspector was killed in the early hours of Monday after a truck allegedly carrying illicit liquor ran over him on the Indore-Betul highway in Dewas district, according to The Hindu. Khategaon police station incharge Dilip Puri was leading one of five teams tasked with intercepting the transport of illegal liquor when the incident occurred.
Dewas Superintendent of Police Aditya Mishra said the officer was part of an operation following information regarding liquor smuggling. Excise department sub-inspector Pooja Gehlot stated that when Puri questioned the driver, the man allegedly drove over a road divider to escape, causing the truck's rear wheel to run over the officer.
The truck was found to contain more than 1,800 litres of liquor in 208 boxes without valid purchase bills or permits. The driver and other staff reportedly fled the scene after abandoning the vehicle at Sandalpur. A search is currently underway to locate them.
The incident follows recent controversy in the district involving the deaths of 13 people allegedly due to spurious liquor. Following that matter, the government transferred the district Collector and the SP.
A special investigation team (SIT) has been formed to probe the case and identify those involved in the smuggling network. An FIR has been lodged and a post-mortem of the deceased officer has been conducted.