Madhya Pradesh Police on Sunday managed to arrest another accused in the Sagar spurious liquor case after a brief gunfight in which the suspect sustained a bullet injury to his leg.

The accused, identified as Shivanjay Rajput, was carrying a reward of ₹30,000 on his arrest, police said. According to the police, Rajput opened fire at a team that had surrounded him in a forested area near Madaiyaa early on September 13.

Police said they recovered a 315-bore country-made pistol, three live cartridges and three spent cartridges from his possession. His mobile phone and motorcycle were also seized.

Rajput, who police said was previously involved in liquor smuggling, has three criminal cases registered against him.

Police lay siege to forested area

According to the police account, Beharol police received information in the early hours of September 13 that Rajput was hiding in a forest near Madaiyaa. Police suspected that he might attempt to leave via the Bunda-Beharol main road and travel to his home in Chhapri, under Banda police station limits.

Following the information, the Superintendent of Police directed Satendra Singh, in-charge of Bandri police station, to immediately reach the location. Officers in charge of nearby police stations were also instructed to mobilise personnel and initiate action.

Several police teams subsequently surrounded the area from all sides in an attempt to prevent the accused from escaping.

Accused allegedly opens fire

Police said Rajput opened fire after spotting the approaching police teams, firing three rounds at them. The police retaliated by firing two rounds, one of which struck Rajput in the leg. He was subsequently taken into custody and shifted to hospital for treatment.

The police said the search following his arrest led to the recovery of the country-made pistol, three live rounds and three empty cartridges, besides his mobile phone and motorcycle.

CM orders strict action

The development comes amid heightened attention on the Sagar spurious liquor case, with state Chief Minister (CM) Dr Mohan Yadav directing the authorities to take stringent action against those responsible.

CM Dr Yadav has described the hooch incident as tragic and said the state government was taking a strict approach towards maintaining law and order. He has also directed the administration to ensure firm action against all those found responsible, while making it clear that negligence would not be tolerated.

The Chief Minister has been closely monitoring the action being taken in connection with the case and has reiterated that no person found responsible for the incident will be spared.

The arrest of Rajput marks another step in the police investigation as authorities continue their crackdown on those allegedly linked to the spurious liquor case.