Dewas (Madhya Pradesh): The prime accused in the killing of Inspector Dilip Puri was shot in the right leg on Wednesday after he allegedly attempted to escape from police custody and attack police personnel, Dewas Superintendent of Police Aditya Mishra said.

Source: ANI

The accused, Gajendra alias Akku Rawat, a truck driver, was being transported by Dewas police from Alirajpur district when the incident occurred in the jurisdiction of Barotha police station, the SP said. According to Mishra, Rawat attempted to flee from custody and launch a violent attack on the police personnel, and the police opened fire in self-defence following standard protocols, leaving him injured in the right leg.

Rawat was taken to Mahatma Gandhi District Hospital in Dewas for treatment and admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Mishra said. Dr Ajay Patel, Resident Medical Officer at the hospital, confirmed that the accused was brought to the emergency ward with a gunshot wound to his leg and was examined by doctors.

Follow-up to the November 2 killing

This is the latest development in the case Awaaz Punjab reported earlier this week: Inspector Dilip Puri, posted at Khategaon police station, was crushed to death on the intervening night of November 1 and 2 on the Harda-Nemawar highway while leading a team verifying intelligence about an illegal liquor consignment. Police seized the truck and recovered over 1,800 litres of illicit liquor. Three men — alleged network operator Rahul Jaiswal, his accomplice Vijay Rao, and Karam Singh, who allegedly provided the vehicle — were taken into custody earlier, while driver Rawat and his assistant remained absconding, with searches extended towards Gujarat.

Source: PTI

A case was registered at Khategaon police station under sections 103(1) (murder), 109(1) (attempt to murder), 121(2) (voluntarily causing grievous hurt to a public servant) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and section 34(2) of the Excise Act, according to earlier police statements. Puri's family has demanded a CBI probe and capital punishment for those responsible. On Tuesday, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav ordered a statewide crackdown on drug, liquor and illegal-weapons networks ahead of Diwali.

The escape attempt and the firing are as described by the police; the accused's version has not been reported. Further investigation is under way.