Narwana Spurious Liquor Tragedy: A Story of Fearless Policing and Bold Journalism

Gustakhi Maaf Haryana – Pawan Kumar Bansal

(Extracts from the upcoming book “Inside Story of Haryana Police”)
Around 45 years ago, when the author was working as a reporter with The Indian Express in Jind, a defining chapter in Haryana’s policing and journalism unfolded.
In 1980, more than 50 people lost their lives and several others lost their eyesight after consuming spurious liquor in Narwana, Haryana. The tragic incident triggered widespread public outrage. The main accused, Kaku Ram—a liquor contractor and a close relative of a Haryana minister—went into hiding at the minister’s residence in Chandigarh to evade arrest.
At that time, the then Inspector General of Police, Manmohan Singh, stood out for his integrity and commitment to duty. Ignoring political pressure, he ensured the arrest of Kaku Ram from Chandigarh.
Meanwhile, the author’s bylined reports were being prominently published in The Indian Express. One such report was even raised in Parliament by MP Maniram Bagri.
Recalling those days, the author mentions that IG Manmohan Singh once told him in Punjabi, “Kaka, one day you will go far. I read your report today.” Driven by the pursuit of fresh updates, the author asked if there was any new development. The IG revealed that five more people had died but initially did not disclose details about Kaku Ram.
On further probing, he confided, “Kaka, we have arrested him, but it has not yet been officially recorded.” The author requested that the arrest be formally entered into records before his report went to print the next morning. The IG agreed.
The following day, The Indian Express carried the exclusive front-page story of Kaku Ram’s arrest, quoting IG Manmohan Singh.
In a follow-up report, the author revealed that the Narwana DSP had allegedly tipped off Kaku Ram about an impending raid under pressure from SDM Sanjay Kothari, enabling him to flee. When this issue was raised in Parliament by Maniram Bagri, then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi reportedly reprimanded Haryana Chief Minister Bhajan Lal. Subsequently, DSP Sitaram Sharma was suspended.
Later, the English magazine Caravan noted that despite immense pressure, young journalist Pawan Bansal ensured the publication of the story in The Indian Express, leading to official action against the officer involved.
This episode remains a powerful reminder of how fearless policing and independent journalism together uphold accountability and justice.