Police in Dewas district of Madhya Pradesh shot and arrested the truck driver accused of running over Khategaon police station in-charge Dilip Puri, officials said, after the suspect allegedly tried to escape custody and grab a constable’s weapon.

The driver, Gajendra alias Akku, was wanted in the case until his arrest. Police say the encounter happened in the Barotha police station area near Dewas, and that he has been taken to the district hospital for treatment. The account comes from police statements, and independent confirmation of the circumstances has not yet emerged.

A routine check that turned deadly

According to the Dewas police, Puri had received information that a truck was carrying illegal liquor. The vehicle was reportedly loaded with more than 1,800 litres of alcohol. He went to question the driver, who was parked near a dhaba on the Indore-Betul highway.

Police allege that the driver saw the officer approaching and tried to run. He reportedly drove the truck up onto the road divider. In the process, the truck’s rear wheel passed over the police in-charge. Puri died at the scene, and a constable was injured.

The incident took place on Monday on the Indore-Betul highway, police said.

Escape bid and the shot

After his arrest, police say the driver was being questioned and the scene was being examined when he allegedly tried to flee from police custody. Officers claim he then snatched a policeman’s weapon and attempted to attack.

Police say they gave a warning before firing. The bullet hit the driver in his right leg. He was admitted to the district hospital, where he is receiving treatment.

The police version of events has not been independently verified, and the exact circumstances of the encounter remain unclear beyond official statements.

Three men arrested earlier

Before the driver was caught, police had arrested three men in the case: Rahul Jaiswal, Vijay Rao and Keram Singh Changod. Police allege Changod arranged the truck, driver and cleaner for the smuggling operation. Officials say Jaiswal ran a network allegedly moving illegal liquor from Timarni in Harda district to Gujarat. Rao, according to police, admitted to working for Jaiswal.

All three were produced before the Dewas district court. On the prosecution’s request, the court sent them to police custody until November 10.

Authorities also announced separate rewards of Rs 10,000 each for information leading to the arrest of two wanted accused in the case. The arrest of the driver has now shifted the focus to the remaining probe.

Family demands CBI inquiry

Dilip Puri’s family has described his death as a murder rather than an accident. They have asked for a CBI investigation into the case.

His father, Om Prakash Puri, has demanded the death penalty for the accused and bulldozer action against their homes. The family has also asked the administration to give Puri’s wife a job in the ministerial staff through compassionate appointment.

Puri’s body was taken to his hometown of Barmandal in Dhar district. He received a state funeral with a guard of honour. Divisional Commissioner Bhaskar Lakshkar, Inspector General of Police Anurag, District Collector Rajeev Ranjan Meena and Superintendent of Police Sachin Sharma were among those present, along with a large number of villagers.

"As long as the sun and moon exist, Dilip Puri’s name will live on."

Mourners raised that slogan during the last rites, a line that captured the grief in Barmandal as the case moves from the highway to the courtroom.

Police say the investigation into the case is continuing, now that the last wanted driver is in custody. Officials have not yet said whether the CBI demand will be considered.