MP: Main accused in Sagar hooch tragedy case held after encounter
Police apprehended the main accused in the Sagar hooch tragedy case following a brief encounter in the early hours of Wednesday, an official said.
Manish Lodhi alias Yashwant Thakur, who was carrying a reward of Rs 30,000, was wanted in connection with the deaths of 20 people who allegedly consumed spurious liquor in the district earlier this month, the official said.
A police team located and cornered Lodhi at around 3 am at Noniya Sesai Road Valley, about 50 km from Sagar. Lodhi and his accomplice Ashish Sahu allegedly opened fire at the police team, prompting the personnel to retaliate in self-defence, Superintendent of Police Anurag Sujania told PTI.
Lodhi sustained a gunshot injury to his leg, while Sahu, who allegedly tried to flee to avoid arrest, was injured and suffered a fracture to his hand. Both were taken to a hospital for treatment, the SP said.
Police recovered two country-made pistols, five empty cartridges and a baseball bat from the accused at the spot, the official said.
A total of 35 accused have so far been apprehended in connection with the spurious liquor case, he said.
Police were continuing efforts to arrest another key accused, Siddharth Kushwaha, along with others wanted in the case, the official added. (with inputs from PTI)
