Madhya Pradesh Congress president Jitu Patwari on Thursday, 5 November 2026, demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into an alleged illegal liquor smuggling network operating in the state and reportedly supplying liquor to Gujarat. Patwari alleged that the trade was flourishing under political and administrative protection, making accountability a core demand of the visit.

The Trigger: Death of an SHO

Patwari raised the demand after meeting the family of Dilip Puri, Station House Officer (SHO) of Khategaon police station in Dewas district, who died recently. He visited the bereaved family at Barmandal village in Dhar district, expressing his condolences and describing the family's grief as profound.

The Congress leader directly linked Puri's death to the state's alleged failure to rein in the illicit liquor trade. 'If anyone is responsible for this death, it is the government,' Patwari said, alleging that house-to-house liquor sales on such a scale could not operate without protection from influential quarters.

What the Congress Has Demanded

Patwari called for a CBI investigation covering the entire alleged supply chain — from smugglers and their associates to those reportedly providing political and administrative cover. He also urged the government to move beyond what he characterised as 'media management' and conduct a thorough probe to identify those responsible.

Notably, the demand targets not just the smuggling network within Madhya Pradesh but also the alleged pipeline into Gujarat, a state under Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) governance that enforces prohibition — making the cross-border angle politically significant.

Patwari's Welfare Demand for Police Families

Separately, Patwari urged Chief Minister Mohan Yadav — who also holds the Home portfolio — to announce free education for children of Class III and Class IV police personnel. He argued that officers work round the clock, often without regular leave, and that the government bears a duty of care towards their families.

'After meeting Dilip Puri's family, I could feel their immense grief. This prompted me to urge the Chief Minister and the government to take responsibility for the education of police personnel's children. This would be a true tribute not only to Dilip Puri's family but also to the families of all police personnel,' Patwari said.

Broader Context

Illicit liquor trafficking along the Madhya Pradesh–Gujarat border has been a recurring issue given Gujarat's prohibition status, which creates sustained demand. This is not the first time the Congress in MP has raised the issue, but the death of a serving police officer has sharpened the political focus. The government is yet to respond officially to Patwari's demands. With a serving SHO's death now at the centre of the controversy, pressure on Chief Minister Yadav to act — or explain — is likely to intensify in the coming days.