Bhopal: An Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) was crushed to death by a man driving a tractor-trolley loaded with illegally mined sand in Madhya Pradesh’s Shahdol district on Saturday and Sunday nights, police said.
ASI Mahendra Bagri of Bahri police station died on the spot, police said, adding that tractor driver Raj Rawat has been arrested.
Police said they also arrested Ashutosh Singh, son of the truck owner Surendra Singh, who is also an illegal sand miner.
Police said a case has been registered against all three under Section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code.
Surendra Singh has been absconding since the night of the incident, police said, and a reward of Rs 30,000 has been announced for information on his whereabouts.
He was previously arrested in August 2023 on suspicion of illegal sand mining.
Kumar Prateek, Superintendent of Police, Shahdor, said: “Bagri, along with ASI Gaya Prasad Kannauje and constable Sanjay Dubey, went to Baroli village to arrest a man in Absconding accused in criminal case. At the same time, a tractor-trolley came from the front near Khadhauli village. Bagri waved to stop him, but the driver overpowered him and pushed the tractor-trolley forward.”
After suppressing the ASI, the accused jumped off the tractor and absconded. The tractor lost control and fell off the bridge.
Meanwhile, controversy arose over his autopsy, which was carried out on the floor of Bari Civil Hospital. A police officer who asked not to be named said, “Bagri sacrificed his life while performing his duties and was not respected even after death. His autopsy was conducted with his body lying on the floor.”
Bahri Divisional Magistrate Narendra Singh Dhurve said they are investigating the matter.
