M.P. govt. transfers officers amid ‘deaths’ linked to illicit liquor

Families of the deceased staging a protest with Congress leaders outside the Dewas Collectorate on Tuesday. Photo credit: Special arrangement

The Madhya Pradesh government on Tuesday (October 27, 2026) announced a major bureaucratic reshuffle involving nine IAS and IPS officers, transferring the Dewas Collector and Superintendent of Police (SP) amid allegations that at least 13 people had died after consuming spurious liquor in villages in the district.

According to the government order, Balaghat SP Aditya Mishra will take over as Dewas SP, replacing Punit Gehlot, who has been transferred to the Police Headquarters in Bhopal. Neha Meena, former Seoni Collector, has been appointed Dewas Collector, replacing Ritu Raj, who has been posted as deputy secretary in General Administration Department.

The reshuffle also saw the transfer of Sagar Collector Pratibha Pal and SP Anurag Sujania, who were in charge when a hooch tragedy claimed more than 25 lives in September.

Illicit liquor row

Residents of Chandana and Binjana villages in Dewas have alleged at least 13 liquor-related deaths within a month, even as the authorities have denied that a hooch tragedy has occurred in the district. On Monday (October 26, 2026), the police arrested 10 people for allegedly selling illicit liquor in the area. The district administration said liquor samples collected from the area did not contain any poisonous substances.

“We are awaiting forensic reports on two deceased persons whose viscera samples were sent for further examination to confirm the causes of their deaths. Test reports on illicit liquor seized from the area are also awaited,” Mr. Gehlot said on Monday.

Congress continues attack

Meanwhile, the Congress, which has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party government of “shielding” the liquor mafia in the State, stepped up its attack on Tuesday (October 27, 2026). State unit president Jitu Patwari wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah seeking the Centre’s intervention in the functioning of the State government. Mr. Patwari also staged a sit-in at the Dewas Collector’s office on Tuesday (October 27, 2026), along with party workers and affected families, describing the deaths as “institutional killings”.

“The influence of the liquor mafia is steadily growing in Madhya Pradesh. Despite the hooch deaths in Sagar [September 2026] and Morena [2021], the government and the administration are avoiding taking firm action against the real perpetrators,” he said.

Published - October 28, 2026 03:08 pm IST