Dewas Police Chief Dies After Being Hit by Illegal Liquor Truck

Khategaon police station in-charge Dilip Puri died after being run over by a truck allegedly carrying illegal liquor in Dewas, Madhya Pradesh. The fatal incident has prompted condolences from leaders across the political spectrum, while the opposition has accused the state government of negligence.

Police had received a specific input that an illegal liquor-laden truck was moving from Harda, bound for Gujarat through Indore. Teams pursued the truck and set up a blockade ahead. On the Harda-Nemawar highway, the driver halted to drink water, which is when Puri arrived to intercept him.

Puri asked the driver to get out of the truck. The conversation quickly turned into an argument. The driver then tried to escape in the vehicle. Puri fell to the ground, and the truck's rear tyre rolled over him, causing fatal injuries.

The body will be brought to Khategaon police station on Monday, where he will receive a guard of honour.

Deputy Chief Minister Jagdish Devda shared a message on X, saying Puri had given his all to police service with bravery and dedication and that his death was an unfortunate accident. Devda said he had spoken to the Dewas Collector and Superintendent of Police, and that the incident was being examined in depth. He assured that every guilty person would be sent to jail.

Madhya Pradesh Congress said on X that the liquor mafia had now become a threat to the administration itself, blaming the government's failure for the death of a field officer. Kamal Nath, the former Chief Minister, called the murder a declaration that law and order had ended in the state and said mafias appeared to be running the government.