Congress spokesperson Anand Kasliwal arrested in Madhya Pradesh liquor death case
The arrest follows allegations of abetment and tampering with evidence regarding deaths caused by spurious liquor in Dewas district.
Police in Madhya Pradesh's Dewas district arrested state Congress spokesperson Anand Jain Kasliwal on Tuesday for abetment of crime and tampering with evidence, according to the Deccan Herald.
The arrest follows an investigation into deaths allegedly caused by spurious liquor in the Chandana and Binjana areas. Dewas Kotwali police station in-charge Shashikant Chaurasia said evidence linked Kasliwal to the case.
Chaurasia stated that a private firm supplying chemicals to liquor gang leader Ajay Rathore was in the name of Kasliwal's son, Aman Kasliwal, but was actually operated and supervised by Anand Kasliwal. Aman Kasliwal was arrested last week for allegedly supplying chemicals to the gang leader.
The official further alleged that after media reports surfaced, Anand Kasliwal instructed workers to delete chemical stock records. The Congress leader was arrested under the Excise Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
A few days before his arrest, Kasliwal claimed his son was innocent and that their family firm had supplied 220 litres of paint thinner to a customer with a valid bill. Following his arrest, Kasliwal was admitted to Dewas Civil Hospital after complaining of high blood pressure.
Villagers reported at least 10 deaths between September 27 and October 16, while State Congress President Jitu Patwari claimed 22 people died and at least 40 lost eyesight. Police said the main accused, Ajay Rathore, used artificial intelligence to devise a method for making liquor at home using chemicals and water.