{
  "id": 6725720,
  "title": "MP hooch tragedy: Prime accused arrested after encounter in Sagar",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/mp-hooch-tragedy-prime-accused-arrested-after-encounter-in-sagar",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-11T07:59:08.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Hindustan Times",
    "slug": "hindustan-times",
    "url": "https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/mp-hooch-tragedy-prime-accused-arrested-after-encounter-in-sagar-101789113548766.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A prominent accused in Madhya Pradesh's Banda spurious liquor case was apprehended after a police encounter on Friday morning, according to sources. Ravi Lakhera, the accused, was carrying a ₹30,000 reward when he was injured in the leg during the exchange of fire and taken to the hospital for treatment. Sagar superintendent of police Anurag Sujania revealed that Lakhera was hiding near Hanuman Tong Temple along the Banda Barayatha road and opened fire at the police upon confrontation, resulting in his arrest. Police recovered a country-made 12-bore pistol, cartridges, spent casings, and a motorcycle from the scene. Two accomplices managed to escape, and a search operation is underway. State Chief Minister Mohan Yadav expressed satisfaction with the swift police action and vowed to take stringent action against those involved, emphasizing a campaign against substance abuse. The police probe indicates that Lakhera was responsible for preparing and supplying the lethal formula for toxic liquor, which he provided to individuals such as Manish Lodhi, Chandrabhan Singh Rajput, and others. The tragedy has resulted in 16 deaths, with 17 arrests made and 13 suspects still at large.",
  "summary": "Lakhera, who has 25 criminal cases registered against him, was injured in the leg during the exchange of fire and taken to hospital for treatment",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Hindu",
        "title": "Railway police recover 120 lost mobile phones worth ₹25 lakh in Andhra Pradesh",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/railway-police-recover-120-lost-mobile-phones-worth-25-lakh-in-andhra",
        "published": "2026-09-11T03:10:25.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Trust",
        "title": "Police go after man accused of sexually molesting teenage boy",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/police-go-after-man-accused-of-sexually-molesting-teenage-boy",
        "published": "2026-09-11T05:56:07.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}