BHOPAL: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday formally took over the investigation into the suicide case of Dewas-based liquor contractor Dinesh Makwana, in compliance with directions issued by the Madhya Pradesh High Court. The High Court had ordered an independent probe, citing serious concerns over the manner in which the local police handled the matter. This case has been assigned to the CBI's Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) unit in Bhopal.
Background of the Case
Sources said the case was transferred to the CBI's Bhopal unit after the High Court directed Police Station Kanadia in Indore district to immediately hand over all records and materials related to the investigation to the central agency. The CBI has registered a regular case (RC) to begin examining the circumstances that led to Makwana's death, including allegations contained in a purported suicide video, said sources. The case involves allegations against the then assistant commissioner of the excise department posted in Dewas, accused by the deceased in a purported suicide video of harassment and illegal monetary demands.
Details of the Incident
The matter is related to the death of Dinesh Makwana, who died after allegedly consuming Celphos on November 8, 2025. His family had approached the High Court alleging that despite repeated representations and the existence of a suicide video purportedly recorded by the deceased, police had failed to register an FIR or conduct a fair investigation into allegations of harassment and corruption linked to the case.
High Court Observations
In an order passed on April 18, Justice Subodh Abhyankar observed that the allegations raised in the suicide note video were serious and could not be brushed aside lightly, especially since the deceased had made detailed assertions before taking the extreme step. The court held that merely because the video had allegedly been recorded weeks before the suicide could not be grounds to dismiss its evidentiary value at the preliminary stage.
The High Court also expressed concern over what it described as an apparent delay and reluctance by the local police in acting on the complaint despite the material having been made available soon after the death. The court noted that while a cyber forensic examination had been carried out, no FIR had been registered for months. It observed that the investigation appeared to lack urgency and credibility, warranting intervention to ensure a fair probe.
Significantly, the court rejected attempts at this stage to rely on a private forensic opinion questioning the authenticity of the suicide video, holding that such claims could not be used to discard the material before a proper investigation was undertaken. Instead, it ruled that there existed sufficient prima facie material for registration of an FIR and an impartial inquiry.
“The manner in which the entire investigation is being conducted” raised concerns, the High Court said, adding that confidence in the probe had been undermined. Stressing that orders for a CBI investigation are not to be passed routinely but only in exceptional circumstances, the bench held that the present case warranted transfer to an independent agency to ensure a free and fair investigation.
Conclusion
Accordingly, the court had ordered that the investigation be handed over immediately to the CBI, directing the agency to register an FIR and bring the case to a logical conclusion after conducting its investigation.
