Madhya Pradesh Hooch Tragedy: Authorities Demolish Properties of Three Key Accused in Sagar District

SAGAR (M.P.): Following a devastating spurious liquor incident in the Banda area of Sagar district, local authorities launched a large-scale demolition drive on Thursday, targeting illegal properties owned by three prime suspects. Accompanied by three earthmovers and heavy police deployment, district administration teams razed unauthorized structures located in Wards 11 and 12.

The demolition targeted properties linked to Chandrabhan Singh Rajput (alias Chandu)—identified as a key accused and divisional chief of Karni Sena—as well as Ashish Sahu and Manish Lodhi. Officials completely brought down Sahu’s residence, while unauthorized sections of three houses belonging to Lodhi were also dismantled despite vocal protests from family members.

Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Sanjay Jain stated that the operations follow the state government’s zero-tolerance mandate against illicit liquor networks. The ongoing crackdown focuses on removing illegal encroachments built on government plots or unauthorized agricultural land. Beyond urban municipal limits, revenue officials in Shahgarh tehsil are identifying and acting against unlawful land holdings linked to the accused in Simariya village.

Dispute Over Death Toll

The tragedy has sparked sharp differences between administrative figures and local reports regarding the casualties. While district authorities have officially confirmed 15 deaths so far, local sources report the death toll has reached 28.

Political Reaction

The incident triggered strong reactions from the opposition. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge criticized the state administration on social media, asserting that governance lapses and negligence had led to preventable deaths. Kharge claimed the fatality count had reached 31, with 11 individuals critically ill and undergoing treatment. Demanding stringent punitive measures, he emphasized the severe human cost of illicit liquor operations on affected families.

Heavy police deployment remains stationed across the Banda region to maintain law and order as civic teams clear the debris and investigate further property holdings connected to the illicit trade.