MP spurious liquor cases: Congress functionary held in cop's death case, spokesperson also arrested in Dewas

BHOPAL: Rahul Jaiswal, detained in connection with the death of a police officer during an anti-illicit liquor operation in Madhya Pradesh's Dewas district, has allegedly told police that he is associated with the Congress and holds a 30% stake in a liquor shop linked to the smuggling network.State Congress spokesperson Anand Jain Kasliwal was also arrested in connection with deaths allegedly caused by spurious liquor in Dewas, police said.A video of Jaiswal being questioned by police was shared with the media by an officer from the investigation team led by Special Director General of Police Upendra Jain. In the video, Jaiswal can allegedly be heard saying that he is currently the Congress in-charge of the Khategaon Assembly constituency and served as the district Youth Congress president from 2018 to 2024-25.The case pertains to the death of Khategaon station house officer (SHO) Dilip Puri early Monday. Puri had reached a spot along the Indore-Betul highway after receiving information about illicit liquor smuggling. When he attempted to question the driver of a truck parked near a roadside eatery, the driver allegedly drove over the road divider while trying to flee. The truck's rear wheel ran over Puri.Apart from Jaiswal, police have detained two other accused, Keram Singh Changod and Vijay Rao, in connection with the case.According to officials, Jaiswal operated an illicit liquor smuggling network from Timarni in Harda district to Gujarat. Changod allegedly arranged the truck for driver Gajendra alias Akku Rawat, while Rao reportedly admitted to working for Jaiswal in the smuggling operation.Jaiswal told police that he was originally from Timarni and that he, along with Indore resident Manish Jaiswal, Ahmedabad resident Mohit Jaiswal and Patan Jaiswal, were partners in the liquor shop he managed.Madhya Pradesh Cabinet minister Vishwas Sarang claimed that Rahul Jaiswal and his brother Manish Jaiswal were partners in the liquor shop linked to the case. He also alleged that Rahul Jaiswal was close to state Congress president Jitu Patwari and held charge of the party's Khategaon Assembly constituency.Sarang said the shop's manager, Bhupendra Rana, had provided important information to police.The incident triggered a political confrontation between the Congress and the BJP. The Congress attacked the state government over law and order, alleging that the liquor mafia was effectively running Madhya Pradesh and the government was acting as a mute spectator.The BJP hit back, citing the alleged involvement of a Congress functionary in the case. It also questioned whether money generated through the illicit liquor trade was being used to pay the Congress state office's electricity bills and fund party protests and other expenses.There was no response from Congress leaders to Jaiswal's alleged statements. Attempts to contact them for comment proved unsuccessful.You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Bhopal | Silver Rate in Bhopal | Bank Holidays in Bhopal | Public Holidays in Bhopal | Petrol Price in Bhopal | Diesel Price in Bhopal | CNG Price in Bhopal | LPG Price in BhopalStay updated with the latest Bhopal news. Download the TOI App.