Authorities have arrested Aman Kasliwal, the son of a Congress spokesperson, following a probe into a deadly spurious liquor racket in Madhya Pradesh’s Dewas district. The state government has responded by suspending three excise officials and reshuffling the district’s top leadership. The investigation into the illicit distribution network and the chemical supply source remains ongoing as officials address conflicting reports regarding the total casualties.
Madhya Pradesh authorities have taken into custody 27-year-old businessman Aman Kasliwal in connection with a fatal spurious liquor operation affecting the Dewas and Indore regions. This action follows a surge in reported health crises linked to the consumption of illicit alcohol throughout late September and October, prompting intense scrutiny of local enforcement and supply chains.
Investigations currently center on the alleged supply of industrial chemicals used in the manufacturing of the bootleg alcohol. Police allege that Kasliwal provided these chemical agents to Ajay Rathore, who is identified as the primary suspect in the production and distribution chain. The network reportedly used repurposed branded bottles to sell the illegal mixture in local rural markets, raising serious concerns regarding safety and regulatory oversight.
The state government has launched a high-level administrative reshuffle to manage the fallout. In a move to address reported lapses in local enforcement, officials have suspended three personnel from the excise department, including the district excise officer. Furthermore, the district collector and the superintendent of police have been transferred to new posts, signaling a firm response to the governance concerns surrounding the liquor crisis.
A significant point of contention has emerged regarding the scale of the tragedy. Opposition figures, including Congress state party president Jitu Patwari, have disputed initial administrative statements, claiming the death toll has reached 22, with scores more suffering from permanent vision impairment. These figures sharply contrast with earlier official reports, creating a political flashpoint. In response, the state government has deployed a five-member high-level probe committee to determine the exact nature of the chemicals involved and the full extent of the distribution network.
The investigation is now focusing on mapping the supply chain of the chemical agents and uncovering the breadth of the illicit network that facilitated the crisis. For local stakeholders and the public, the next critical update will be the findings of the state’s high-level probe committee, which is tasked with validating the casualty figures and assessing the failure of regulatory oversight in the region.