MP Hooch Tragedy: Bulldozer Action On 5 Premises Of Key Accused In Banda; Death Toll Rises To 30

Naidunia Representative, Sagar: The local administration has intensified its crackdown on the key accused in the Banda poisonous liquor tragedy. On Thursday, authorities deployed bulldozers to demolish five houses and warehouses belonging to three primary suspects in Banda, dismantling structures linked to their illegal operations.

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Demolition Drive At Three Locations

Officials gathered at the Banda SDM office at 1:00 PM. Shortly after, three separate teams equipped with bulldozers arrived at the identified locations belonging to Manish Lodhi (alias Yashwant Thakur), Chandrabhan (alias Chandu Singh Rajput), and Ashish Sahu.

The 2,500-square-foot house of Chandrabhan, the divisional president of the Karni Sena and village head of Tatarwara, was demolished over five to six hours. Most of the structure had been built a year earlier and was large enough to easily park about ten vehicles on the premises.

The nearly 20-year-old house of Ashish Sahu on College Road was demolished within two hours. Sahu, an associate of Manish Lodhi with six to seven active police cases, reportedly handled liquor distribution across local villages.

At Manish Lodhi's residence, a family member who approached officials with documents was turned away without a hearing.

Illegal Factory Uncovered And Warehouse Razed

According to police, excise contractor Manish Lodhi, in collaboration with interstate supplier Ravi Lakhera and Tatarwara Sarpanch Chandu Rajput, set up an illegal liquor manufacturing unit. While Chandu Rajput has been arrested, Manish Lodhi and Ravi Lakhera are absconding. Police have announced a reward of Rs 20,000 each for information leading to their arrest. Of the 30 people accused, 14 have been arrested so far.

During the action at Manish Lodhi’s Ward 11 warehouse, officials found furnaces, pans, packaging machinery, and five motorcycles, three without number plates, suspected of being used for distribution. The entire structure was demolished during the drive, raising concerns about the potential loss of evidence related to liquor production. Administration officials stated that the warehouse was built on encroached crematorium land.

Municipal Inaction

Questions have also been raised regarding long-standing municipal inaction, as the illegal structures had stood for 10 to 20 years without action. Banda Municipality Chief Municipal Officer RC Ahirwar stated that the constructions occurred before his tenure, but recent investigations found they were built without permission.

"Five illegal constructions belonging to the accused of spurious liquor were identified. The administration has taken action against all of them. Notices were issued to them 24 hours in advance. Other constructions owned by the accused are being investigated, and action will be taken against them as well," said Sanjay Jain, SDM Banda.

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Death Toll Rises To 30

The death toll from the toxic liquor incident continues to rise. Ram Singh (30), a resident of Pipariya Killai, died on Thursday while undergoing treatment at Bundelkhand Medical College, bringing the death toll from the tragedy to 30.