Dewas cop killed by liquor smuggling truck during interception on MP highway
Synopsis
A police station in-charge was fatally run over by a truck allegedly laden with illicit liquor during a planned interception operation in Madhya Pradesh's Dewas district late Sunday night. The killing of Sub-Inspector Dilip Puri — during what was a coordinated multi-team operation — exposes the lethal risks of frontline anti-smuggling enforcement on the MP-Gujarat liquor corridor.
Key Takeaways
Dilip Puri , in-charge of Khategaon Police Station and a 2007-batch Sub-Inspector , was killed on Sunday night, 2 November 2026 in Dewas, Madhya Pradesh .
Puri was fatally struck by the rear wheel of a truck bearing registration MP 43 H 4786 while attempting to intercept it on the Harda-Nemawar highway .
The truck was allegedly transporting illicit liquor from Harda to Gujarat via Indore .
Dewas SP Aditya Mishra had deployed more than five police teams for the operation; the driver has been arrested and the truck seized.
Rahul Jaiswal of Harda has been identified in connection with the smuggling network; investigations are ongoing.
Khategaon Police Station in-charge Dilip Puri was killed on the spot on Sunday night after the rear wheel of a truck allegedly carrying illicit liquor ran over him during an interception attempt on the Harda-Nemawar highway in Dewas district, Madhya Pradesh. The incident, confirmed by officials on Monday, 2 November 2026, marks a grave escalation in the dangers faced by police personnel conducting anti-smuggling operations in the state.
How the Incident Unfolded
Puri, a 2007-batch Sub-Inspector, was part of a coordinated operation launched by Dewas Superintendent of Police Aditya Mishra, who had deployed more than five police teams — including station in-charges from Kannod, Satwas, and Khategaon — to intercept a truck suspected of transporting illicit liquor from Harda to Gujarat via Indore. Barricades were also set up at multiple locations along the route.
According to preliminary accounts, the truck driver had briefly halted on the highway to drink water when Puri arrived at the spot to apprehend him. Puri reportedly asked the driver to step down from the vehicle, following which a scuffle broke out between the two. The driver allegedly attempted to flee with the truck, during which Puri reportedly fell from the vehicle and was fatally struck by its rear wheel.
Truck Seized, Driver Arrested
The truck, bearing registration number MP 43 H 4786, was found loaded with liquor. Police have seized the vehicle and arrested the driver. Rahul Jaiswal of Harda has been identified in connection with the alleged smuggling network, according to officials involved in the operation. Smugglers based in Dewas are also suspected to be part of the network.
Senior Officers Respond
SP Aditya Mishra and other senior officers reached the site as soon as news of the incident broke, and an investigation has been formally initiated. Puri had previously served at Hira Nagar and Chandan Nagar police stations in Indore before taking charge at Khategaon.
Background and Significance
This comes amid persistent concerns about illicit liquor trafficking on routes connecting Madhya Pradesh to Gujarat, a dry state. The Harda-Indore-Gujarat corridor has reportedly been a known conduit for such smuggling. The death of a serving police officer during an interception underscores the operational risks in tackling organised liquor smuggling networks, and is likely to intensify political scrutiny over enforcement procedures and officer safety protocols in the state.
Investigations into the full extent of the smuggling operation and the circumstances of Puri's death are ongoing.
Point of View
Which raises the question of why a single officer was in direct physical contact with a fleeing vehicle. The broader accountability question — why organised smuggling on this corridor has persisted despite repeated crackdowns — deserves as much scrutiny as the immediate criminal case against the driver.
NationPress
2 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Dilip Puri and how was he killed?
Dilip Puri was the in-charge of Khategaon Police Station in Dewas district, Madhya Pradesh, and a 2007-batch Sub-Inspector. He was killed late Sunday night after the rear wheel of a truck allegedly carrying illicit liquor ran over him during an interception attempt on the Harda-Nemawar highway.
What was the police operation targeting?
The operation was aimed at intercepting a truck suspected of transporting illicit liquor from Harda to Gujarat via Indore. Dewas SP Aditya Mishra had formed more than five teams, including multiple station in-charges, and set up barricades at several locations along the route.
Has the truck driver been arrested?
Yes, the driver has been arrested and the truck bearing registration number MP 43 H 4786, which was loaded with liquor, has been seized. Rahul Jaiswal of Harda has also been identified in connection with the alleged smuggling network.
Who is investigating the case?
Dewas SP Aditya Mishra and senior officers reached the site immediately after the incident and have initiated a formal investigation into both the death of Sub-Inspector Puri and the larger illicit liquor smuggling operation.
Why is the MP-Gujarat liquor corridor significant?
Gujarat is a dry state, making it a major destination for illicit liquor smuggled from neighbouring states like Madhya Pradesh. The Harda-Indore-Gujarat route has reportedly been a known conduit for such trafficking, and Sunday's incident highlights the organised nature and dangers of these networks.
