ONE of the main accused in Sagar spurious liquor case that has claimed several lives, Ravi Lakhera has been arrested in a police encounter on Friday. A reward of Rs 30,000 had previously been announced by the police for his arrest. The miscreant has 25 criminal cases registered against him. According to the senior officials handling the case, early on September 11, the Baraytha police station received information that Ravi Lakhera, the accused in the liquor case, was present in the forest area near the Hanuman Tong Temple, along the main Banda-Baraytha road. Upon receiving the information, the police control room immediately apprised the Superintendent of Police (SP), Sagar, and senior officials. Acting on the SP’s instructions, Banda Police Station In-charge Anand Singh was directed to reach the spot immediately, and nearby station in-charges were also ordered to arrive at the location with the necessary police force to take action. Recognising the gravity of the information, Banda Station

 

In-charge Anand Singh and Baraytha Station In-charge Arvind Singh immediately arrived at the scene with their respective police teams. The police teams cordoned off the suspected area from all sides and initiated an intensive search operation. ACCUSED OPENS FIRE: During a police operation involving a cordon and search, the accused, Ravi Lakhera, opened fire on seeing the police team. He fired three shots targeting the officers. In self-defence, the police team returned fire, discharging two rounds.

 

The accused was struck in the leg during the exchange. Acting swiftly, the police team successfully arrested the injured accused, Ravi Lakhera. The injured accused has been rushed to the hospital for necessary medical treatment. A 12-bore country-made pistol, one live cartridge, three spent casings, and a motorcycle were recovered from the arrested accused, Ravi Lakhera. Legal action regarding the recovered weapons and other items is being taken as per procedure. TWO OTHERS FLEE: During the police operation, two accomplices of the accused managed to escape the scene by taking advantage of the darkness and the forest terrain. Various police teams are immediately conducting search and combing operations in the area to locate the absconding suspects. Police are also conducting raids at suspected hideouts.