How AI-assisted research ‘fuelled’ a spurious liquor racket in Madhya Pradesh’s Dewas

In Madhya Pradesh’s Dewas district, a 26-year-old man allegedly used artificial intelligence (AI) tools to fuel an illicit liquor racket, according to police. The young man, identified as Ajay Rathore from Indore, reportedly conducted online research on making liquor at home between September and October 2. Using this partial knowledge, Rathore contacted a solvent wholesaler named ‘Rising Brothers’ in Indore to procure a chemical for manufacturing the illicit liquor.

Police suspect the operation was orchestrated through online research and the acquisition of industrial chemicals. At least 13 suspected hooch deaths in Chandana and Binjana villages since September 27 are under investigation, with forensic tests awaited to determine if the liquor was contaminated and linked to these fatalities.

Initially, the Dewas district administration dismissed allegations of spurious liquor deaths, describing them as "false and misleading." However, a police probe revealed a network of illicit liquor smugglers. Rathore was arrested on October 26 and allegedly began manufacturing the liquor after receiving the chemical on October 1, packaging it in discarded liquor bottles and selling it to rural consumers.

Eleven people have been arrested so far, and police are probing the involvement of those who supplied chemicals and helped distribute the liquor. Another key accused, Govind, remains at large.