MP Excise suspends officer, 2 constables over illegal liquor lapse in Dewas
Synopsis
Madhya Pradesh's Excise Department has moved swiftly against its own — suspending an assistant district officer and two constables for alleged negligence that allowed illegal liquor to be transported in Dewas district. Three retail liquor licences in Timarni have also been cancelled, signalling an accountability push that could widen if the ongoing inquiry uncovers deeper lapses.
Key Takeaways
Assistant District Excise Officer Amar Singh Vaghel suspended with immediate effect over negligence in the Khategaon, Dewas illegal liquor transport case.
Two constables — Arun Kumre and Krishnapal Singh Dodiyar — also suspended by the Excise Commissioner .
Collector of Harda cancelled licences of three liquor shops in Timarni run by licensee Patendra Jaiswal .
Prima facie findings revealed lapses in monitoring and supervision duties that enabled illegal activity.
Further investigation is underway; additional action may follow based on inquiry findings.
The Madhya Pradesh Excise Department has suspended Assistant District Excise Officer Amar Singh Vaghel with immediate effect following alleged negligence in monitoring and inspection duties linked to the illegal transportation of liquor in the Khategaon area of Dewas district. The action, announced on 2 November 2026, also covers two constables and the licences of three retail liquor outlets in Timarni.
Who Has Been Suspended
Vaghel, who was posted in the Timarni circle of Harda district, was suspended after a prima facie review found lapses in his supervisory and inspection responsibilities. The Excise Commissioner separately ordered the suspension of two constables — Arun Kumre and Krishnapal Singh Dodiyar — in connection with the same incident. All three suspensions have been issued with immediate effect, according to an official press note.
Liquor Shop Licences Cancelled in Timarni
In a parallel administrative move, the Collector of Harda suspended the licences of three liquor shops in Timarni operated by licensee Patendra Jaiswal. The outlets are located on Sodalpur Road, in Rahatgaon, and on Harda Road, the official note stated. The licence suspensions are part of the broader administrative response to the illegal liquor transportation case.
What the Investigation Has Found So Far
Authorities indicated that preliminary findings pointed to systemic failures in monitoring duties that allowed the illegal movement of liquor to go unchecked. Officials said they are currently examining the sequence of events and the extent of supervisory gaps that may have enabled the activity. Further investigation is underway, and additional action could follow depending on inquiry outcomes.
Department's Warning on Accountability
The Excise Department stated that strict action will continue against any official found derelict in duties related to the prevention of the illegal liquor trade. This comes amid recurring concerns across several Madhya Pradesh districts about the effectiveness of field-level excise monitoring. Notably, suspensions of excise personnel in connection with illegal liquor incidents have been ordered periodically across the state, underscoring persistent enforcement challenges at the ground level.
Point of View
But the real question is structural: why did illegal liquor move through a monitored zone undetected in the first place? Field-level excise enforcement in Madhya Pradesh has faced repeated scrutiny, and suspending individuals after the fact, without a disclosed systemic audit, risks treating symptoms rather than causes. The simultaneous cancellation of three retail licences suggests the lapses were not isolated. Unless the ongoing inquiry produces a transparent account of the supervision chain and its failures, these suspensions may read more as damage control than genuine reform.
NationPress
3 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Amar Singh Vaghel suspended in Madhya Pradesh?
Assistant District Excise Officer Amar Singh Vaghel was suspended by the Madhya Pradesh Excise Department for alleged negligence in monitoring and inspection duties linked to the illegal transportation of liquor in the Khategaon area of Dewas district. The suspension was issued with immediate effect after prima facie findings confirmed lapses in his supervisory role.
Who are the two constables suspended in the Dewas illegal liquor case?
The two constables suspended are Arun Kumre and Krishnapal Singh Dodiyar, both ordered by the Excise Commissioner in connection with the Khategaon illegal liquor transportation incident in Dewas district, Madhya Pradesh.
Which liquor shop licences were cancelled and why?
The Collector of Harda suspended the licences of three liquor shops in Timarni, all operated by licensee Patendra Jaiswal. The shops are on Sodalpur Road, in Rahatgaon, and on Harda Road. The cancellations are part of the administrative action taken in response to the illegal liquor transport case.
What happens next in the Madhya Pradesh illegal liquor case?
Authorities are conducting a full investigation into the sequence of events and the extent of supervisory failures. Additional action against officials or licensees may follow based on inquiry outcomes, according to the Excise Department.
What is the Madhya Pradesh Excise Department's stance on illegal liquor?
The Excise Department stated it remains committed to curbing the illegal liquor trade and will continue strict action against any official found negligent in preventing such activity. The department has signalled that accountability measures will apply at all levels of the enforcement chain.
