Congress spokesperson Anand Kasliwal arrested in Madhya Pradesh liquor death case
The accused faces charges of abetment and tampering with evidence regarding deaths allegedly caused by spurious liquor in Dewas.
Police in Madhya Pradesh's Dewas district arrested state Congress spokesperson Anand Jain Kasliwal on Tuesday for abetment of a crime and tampering with evidence, according to the Deccan Herald. The arrest follows an investigation into deaths allegedly caused by spurious liquor in the region.
Dewas Kotwali police station in-charge Shashikant Chaurasia told PTI that evidence linked Kasliwal to the case. Chaurasia stated that while a private firm supplying chemicals to liquor gang leader Ajay Rathore was in the name of Kasliwal's son, Aman Kasliwal, the firm was actually operated and supervised by Anand Kasliwal.
The official alleged that Kasliwal instructed workers to delete chemical stock records after media reports about the toxic liquor case surfaced. Kasliwal was arrested under the Excise Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Following his arrest, he was admitted to Dewas Civil Hospital after complaining of high blood pressure.
Aman Kasliwal was arrested last week for allegedly supplying chemicals to Rathore. Before his arrest, Anand Kasliwal claimed his son was innocent and that their family firm had supplied 220 litres of paint thinner to a customer with a valid bill.
Villagers reported that at least 10 people died between September 27 and October 16 in Chandana, Binjana, and surrounding areas. However, State Congress President Jitu Patwari claimed that 22 persons died and at least 40 lost their eyesight.
Police officials said the main accused, Ajay Rathore, used artificial intelligence (AI) to devise a method for making liquor at home. Rathore allegedly mixed chemicals and water to create fake liquor, which was then mixed with original liquor and sold using empty licensed bottles.
