Sagar hooch tragedy: Wanted accused Manish Lodhi injured in MP Police encounter
Synopsis
The Sagar hooch tragedy crackdown reached a new stage on 23 September when wanted accused Manish Lodhi — carrying a ₹30,000 bounty — was shot in the leg and arrested in a 3 am encounter. It is the second such confrontation in the same case after prime accused Ravi Lakhera was similarly shot on 11 September, signalling a sustained police pursuit that has now put two key accused behind bars.
Key Takeaways
Manish Lodhi , carrying a ₹30,000 bounty, and associate Ashish Sahu were arrested after being injured in a police encounter on 23 September 2026 .
The encounter occurred at approximately 3:00 am on Noniya Sesai Road Ghati in the Malthone police station area, Sagar district .
Police recovered two country-made pistols , five rounds , and a baseball bat from the accused.
The Sagar hooch tragedy broke out in early September in Banda and Shahgarh areas; FIRs were registered against 33 people and around 19 accused arrested previously.
Prime accused Ravi Lakhera was also shot in the leg in a separate encounter on 11 September in the Baraytha forest ; a ₹20,000 reward had been announced for his arrest.
Manish Lodhi, the main accused in the Sagar hooch tragedy carrying a ₹30,000 bounty, and his associate Ashish Sahu were injured in an encounter with Madhya Pradesh Police and subsequently arrested in the early hours of Wednesday, 23 September. The operation unfolded on Noniya Sesai Road Ghati in the Malthone police station area of Sagar district, further tightening the noose around those allegedly responsible for a spurious liquor tragedy that claimed several lives in the district's Banda and Shahgarh areas.
How the Encounter Unfolded
According to police officials, a search team conducting operations around 3:00 am on Wednesday intercepted Lodhi — also known as Yashwant — and Sahu on the Noniya Sesai Road Ghati. Both men allegedly opened fire on the police team, prompting officers to return fire in self-defence. Lodhi sustained a gunshot wound to the leg, while Sahu was injured while attempting to flee. Both are currently receiving treatment at a local hospital.
Police recovered two country-made pistols, five rounds of ammunition, and a baseball bat from the accused. A police official said: 'Necessary action at the scene, collection of weapons and other evidence, and medical examination of the injured are being conducted. Legal action and a detailed investigation are ongoing as per the rules.'
Background: The Sagar Hooch Tragedy
The tragedy first surfaced in early September 2026 when residents of the Banda and Shahgarh areas of Sagar district developed serious health complications after allegedly consuming spurious liquor. Multiple affected individuals were hospitalised, and the incident triggered a swift crackdown by both police and excise authorities. Authorities registered FIRs against 33 people at two police stations and had arrested around 19 accused prior to Wednesday's operation.
A Pattern of Encounters in the Crackdown
Wednesday's encounter is notably not the first in this investigation. On 11 September, the prime accused in the spurious liquor case, Ravi Lakhera, was also shot in the leg during a brief exchange of fire with police in the Baraytha forest while evading arrest. Lakhera was admitted to Banda Hospital for treatment, and police had announced a separate reward of ₹20,000 for information leading to his capture. The successive encounters suggest a deliberate police strategy to neutralise key fugitives linked to the tragedy.
What Happens Next
With Lodhi and Sahu now in custody, investigators are expected to expedite the chargesheet against all 33 accused named in the FIRs. Excise department officials are separately probing the supply chain that allowed spurious liquor to circulate freely in the region. The state government faces continued pressure over enforcement lapses that critics argue enabled the tragedy in the first place.
Point of View
Now Lodhi on 23 September — reflect a familiar pattern in Madhya Pradesh where high-profile criminal fugitives are apprehended through confrontations that result in leg injuries. While police maintain the accused fired first, each such encounter invites scrutiny of due process and the state's accountability framework. The deeper question remains unanswered: how did spurious liquor circulate freely enough in Banda and Shahgarh to cause a mass tragedy in the first place? Until the supply-chain investigation produces convictions, not just arrests, the crackdown risks appearing more performative than systemic.
NationPress
23 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Manish Lodhi and what is his connection to the Sagar hooch tragedy?
Manish Lodhi, also known as Yashwant, is identified by police as the main accused in the Sagar hooch tragedy, which killed several people in the Banda and Shahgarh areas of Sagar district after they allegedly consumed spurious liquor in early September 2026. Madhya Pradesh Police had announced a ₹30,000 reward for information leading to his arrest.
What happened during the encounter on 23 September?
Around 3:00 am on 23 September, a Sagar Police team intercepted Manish Lodhi and his associate Ashish Sahu on Noniya Sesai Road Ghati in the Malthone police station area. According to police, both accused opened fire on officers; Lodhi was shot in the leg in self-defence and Sahu was injured while trying to flee. Two country-made pistols, five rounds, and a baseball bat were recovered from them.
What is the current status of the Sagar hooch tragedy investigation?
Police have registered FIRs against 33 people at two police stations and had arrested approximately 19 accused before Wednesday's operation. With Lodhi and Sahu now in custody, investigators are expected to move toward completing the chargesheet. A parallel excise department probe into the liquor supply chain is also ongoing.
Was there an earlier encounter linked to the same case?
Yes. On 11 September 2026, prime accused Ravi Lakhera was shot in the leg during a brief exchange of fire with police in the Baraytha forest near Banda while attempting to evade arrest. He was admitted to Banda Hospital for treatment, and a separate ₹20,000 reward had been announced for information about his whereabouts.
How many people were affected by the Sagar hooch tragedy?
The tragedy struck residents of the Banda and Shahgarh areas of Sagar district in early September 2026 after several people allegedly consumed spurious liquor and developed serious health complications. Multiple affected individuals were hospitalised. The precise death toll cited in official records is described as 'several people' in police statements.
