Sagar: Ravi Lakhera, alleged to be the high-profile liquor smuggler and suspected mastermind of the toxic liquor case in Sagar district’s Banda area has been arrested by the Madhya Pradesh police. Lakhera was arrested after a brief tussle in the Baraytha forests, where he was shot in his leg as he was trying to flee the cops.
It is said that 30 cases of poisoning caused more than 35 deaths in the Banda region although officially over 16 deaths have already been confirmed. Police believe, Lakhera was a key conspirator in the illegal liquor trading network.
Police said that they were told by an informer that Lakhera was residing in the forest areas surrounding Baraytha. Realizing the tip-off, the police team encircled the place around the Hanuman Tong temple.
Once the team saw the cordon, Lakhera allegedly attacked the team and tried to escape from the area, police said. Open retaliative fire by police in self defence and to foil his escape leaving him injured/injuring in the leg. He was immediately arrested and was rushed to a local hospital for care.
Lakhera was reportedly staying in Lalitpur’s Gangapuram Colony, UP, which is part of the Mahoba district. Described as a known interstate liquor smuggler who allegedly had connections with liquor operations on an interstate basis.
Police have now been interviewing Lakhera to find out more about other members, associates and possible supply networks involved in the toxic liquor-making business.
He was allegedly absconding in a case related to the excise for which the FIR was lodged at the Baheria police station, Sagar, in 2025. The Lalitpur Police had also arrested him last couple of months due to an alleged underground liquor manufacturing plant.