Main accused of Saran hooch tragedy shot at by police

Patna: Police shot at the main accused of the suspected hooch tragedy in Saran district late Sunday night.

Suraj Mahto, who is involved in an illicit liquor trade, was earlier arrested from Katihar and being taken to recover an illegal weapon when he fired at the police team. In retaliation, the police fired at him injuring his leg.

Around a week back, five people died in separate incidents in Saran under suspicious circumstances between March 11 and 13. Their family members alleged that they died after consuming spurious liquor. Suraj, a resident of Mithao village in Panapur police station area, was also named one of the accused in the case.

Police said of the five people who died, three were from Mashrakh police station area and two from Panapur police station area. Suraj had been absconding since the incident.

Considering the seriousness of the case, a special team was formed under the direction of SSP Vineet Kumar. The police received a secret information that Suraj was hiding in Katihar district. Based on the information, police took action and arrested him from there.

“After the arrest, police were bringing him to Saran. He was interrogated in the district to gather information about other locations linked to the illegal liquor business and his associates. In this sequence, the police team took him to Karnakudariya village under Mashrakh police station area to search for spirits and materials linked to illegal liquor,” the SSP said.

Meanwhile, seizing an opportunity, Suraj suddenly opened fire on the police team with a hidden weapon and tried to flee. The police in self-defence fired a bullet which hit Suraj’s leg.

After this, police rushed him to Chhapra Sadar Hospital for treatment. His treatment is going on at the hospital under tight security. He is also being interrogated there.

Police said raids are being conducted to identify and arrest others involved in the case.