Sagar liquor tragedy prime suspect held after brief gunfight
Sagar, September 11: The Sagar police arrested Ravi Lakhera, the prime accused who was absconding in the heavily reported toxic liquor case in the Banda area of Sagar district in Madhya Pradesh, after an encounter early Friday morning, police told.
According to police, during a siege near the Hanuman Tong temple in the Baraitha forest, the accused opened fire on the police team and tried to escape. In the retaliatory action, he was shot in the leg. The injured accused was first taken to Banda Hospital and later admitted to Bundelkhand Medical College in Sagar for better treatment, where he is undergoing treatment. Police had announced a reward of 20,000 rupees for his arrest. Police say the accused is being interrogated. Investigating agencies are attempting to reach other members of the network involved in the production and supply of poisonous liquor.
According to the police, information was received Thursday night that Ravi Lakhera (45), son of Suresh Lakhera, was hiding in the forest in the Baraitha area. Following this, a police team cordoned off the area around the Hanuman Tong Temple. Upon seeing the police, the accused allegedly opened fire and attempted to flee. He was shot in the leg in retaliatory fire and apprehended. Senior police officers also arrived at the scene.
31 deaths claimed, administration confirms 16
The death toll due to consumption of poisonous liquor in the Banda region is steadily rising. Three more patients admitted to Bundelkhand Medical College died on Thursday, bringing the total death toll to 31. However, the administration has confirmed 16 deaths so far. There is a discrepancy between the administration and other parties’ claims regarding the actual death toll.
18 accused arrested, search for 13 continues
According to the police, 33 people have been charged in the case so far. Of these, 18 accused, including Ravi Lakhera, have been arrested. One accused has died, while another is hospitalized. According to police, 13 accused are still absconding and are being searched for.
Accused Ravi Lakhera has 25 criminal cases registered against him
According to police, Ravi Lakhera, approximately 45 years old, originally from Chhatarpur district, currently lives in Lalitpur, Uttar Pradesh. Police believe he is involved in an interstate illegal liquor network.
The police have reported approximately 25 criminal cases registered against him in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and other places. Many of these cases are said to be related to the Excise Act. Ravi was also absconding in an excise case registered in the Baheria police station area of Sagar in 2025. According to police, his name also surfaced in the case of an alleged fake liquor factory discovered in Lalitpur in May 2026.
