20 members of liquor gang held for police officer's murder
What's the story
At least 20 members of a gang involved in the supply of illicit liquor, including its kingpin, were arrested in connection with a police officer's murder in Chandrapur district of Maharashtra, police said today.
Police sub-inspector (PSI) Chhatrapati Chide (45), attached to Nagbhid police station in Chandrapur, was crushed to death allegedly by liquor smugglers on November 6, an official said.
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The incident
Deceased tried to catch vehicle carrying illegal liquor, crushed
Chide and four other police personnel were conducting a routine check of vehicles allegedly involved in illegal transportation of liquor on the Gosikhurd canal road when the incident happened.
"The incident had occurred when PSI Chide tried to catch the vehicle carrying illegal liquor. A day after the incident, Shahjad Shaikh, the alleged kingpin of the gang was arrested," the official said.
Other arrests
Shop owner, buyers, vehicle driver and co-passenger arrested after probe
Shaikh has been involved in the transportation of illicit liquor since the past few years, the official said, adding during the probe, police also apprehended a liquor-shop owner named Vishal alias Pappu Advani.
Based on inputs given by the duo, police arrested the driver of a vehicle and a co-passenger.
Thereafter, three persons, who were found purchasing the liquor were also nabbed, he added.
Details
Maharashtra government had declared Chandrapur, Wardha, Gadchiroli as 'dry districts'
"So far we have arrested at least 20 people, including main accused, and busted the liquor smuggling racket. All the accused were part of the gang involved in liquor smuggling from Nagpur to Chandrapur and Gadchiroli districts," the police official said.
Apart from Chandrapur, Wardha, a place associated with Mahatma Gandhi, and Gadchiroli have also been declared 'dry' districts by the state government.