Banda Hooch Tragedy Fallout Sees Around 40 Police Personnel Line Attached In MP’s Sagar

Nearly 15 days following the Banda hooch tragedy, which resulted in over 32 tragic deaths, a significant action has been taken against police personnel stationed at Banda police station and its linked police check posts. Sagar Superintendent Anuraj Sujania ordered 40 police personnel from Banda police station to join the police line promptly.

They have been replaced by police personnel stationed at the police line. This marks the first occurrence where a police station has seen such a large number of personnel moved into the police line following a disaster. Additionally, some police personnel from other police stations, such as Malthone, Naryavli, Khurai, and Rahatgarh, have also been transferred.

The state government, in response to the Banda hooch tragedy, has initiated a judicial inquiry that will provide its report within three months. The hooch tragedy claimed lives starting from September 6, with the deceased count rising in the days that followed. This incident is unprecedented in terms of the number of casualties reported.

During the investigation, more than two dozen suspects were apprehended, with the main suspect, Ravi Lakhera, being held following a brief confrontation. The tragedy highlights the alarming issue of illegal homes in Bhopal, with over 5.92 lakh homes being non-compliant with BVR-2012 regulations and over 5,000 dilapidated structures raising significant safety concerns.