Police investigating claims that at least 13 people died after allegedly consuming spurious liquor in Madhya Pradesh's Dewas district have arrested the son of a Congress leader for allegedly supplying a chemical to the main accused, news agency Press Trust of India (PTI) reported.The accused, Aman Kasliwal, 27, an Indore-based businessman and son of Madhya Pradesh Congress spokesperson Anand Jain Kasliwal, was arrested for allegedly supplying the chemical to Ajay Rathore, who is accused of manufacturing and distributing spurious liquor.Dewas Kotwali police station house officer Shashikant Chaurasia told PTI that an FIR had been registered against Aman under the Excise Act. Asked about the chemical allegedly supplied to Rathore, the officer said its identity could be established only after laboratory tests.Police alleged that Rathore used artificial intelligence to learn how to manufacture spurious liquor at home using chemicals.
He allegedly mixed the chemical-laden home-brewed alcohol with genuine liquor, filled it into empty branded bottles sourced from scrap dealers and distributed it mainly in rural areas. Eleven people have been arrested so far in connection with the alleged illicit liquor operation.
Those arrested include alleged illicit liquor sellers and managers and salesmen of three licensed liquor shops in Dewas and Indore districts.Anand Jain Kasliwal, however, maintained that his son was innocent and that his family's firm had supplied 220 litres of paint thinner to a customer on October 1. He said the substance was mentioned in the invoice and the goods consignment receipt.
Alleging that his son was being framed, Kasliwal asked, "If a person takes goods from an establishment and misuses them, can the seller be held legally responsible for it?"He said his family was unaware that the accused were allegedly using any chemical to manufacture spurious liquor.Madhya Pradesh Sports and Youth Welfare Minister Vishvas Sarang targeted the Congress over the case, alleging that Kasliwal's son was directly involved in the alleged illicit liquor operation.Sarang said the Congress had not taken action against Kasliwal despite his son's alleged role. He also claimed that the Congress spokesperson continued to accompany state party president Jitu Patwari.Residents have claimed that at least 13 people died after consuming spurious liquor in Chandana, Binjana and nearby areas of Dewas district between September 27 and October 16.Patwari, however, has claimed that 22 people died and at least 40 others suffered damage to their eyesight.A police official told PTI that the investigation began after the district hospital reported the deaths of two people who had allegedly consumed liquor in Chandana village on October 15 and 18.The district administration initially rejected claims that people had died after consuming spurious liquor.
Following a controversy, the state government formed a five-member high-level team to investigate the matter.Three excise officials, including the district excise officer, have been suspended in connection with the case. The district collector and superintendent of police have also been transferred as part of an administrative reshuffle.The investigation is examining the alleged manufacture and distribution of spurious liquor, along with claims of deaths and eyesight damage.
A state government-appointed team is also probing the matter.- Ends