In a significant development in Rajasthan’s Pali district, the prolonged standoff over the postmortem of a doda smuggler killed in a police encounter has finally been resolved. The tension that gripped the morgue premises since the incident has dissipated after hours of negotiations between authorities and the deceased’s family.
The episode unfolded late Thursday night when the Anti-Narcotics Task Force received credible intelligence about two suspicious vehicles loaded with doda post entering Pali’s borders. Swift police action led to a high-stakes chase. While one vehicle managed to escape, the second was cornered by determined officers. In a desperate bid to flee, the smugglers unleashed a barrage of gunfire on the police team. Responding in self-defense, officers fired back, with one bullet striking the smuggler in the neck area. Despite rushed medical attention, he succumbed to his injuries.
Authorities seized approximately 500 kilograms of doda post, illegal weapons, and a substantial cache of ammunition from the scene. The smuggler’s death sparked outrage among family members and locals, who encamped outside the morgue, alleging a staged encounter. They demanded to speak with another youth apprehended during the operation.
Senior police and district officials engaged in marathon talks, assuring a fair investigation. Consensus was reached for a postmortem under a medical board’s supervision, ensuring utmost transparency. On Saturday, under the watchful eyes of Desuri SDM Siddharth Sandu and a judicial magistrate, the board conducted the examination with family present.
To ascertain the bullet’s position, a mobile X-ray was deployed at the morgue, but it yielded no results. The body was then shifted to the hospital’s X-ray room for comprehensive scans from multiple angles. When these too failed to locate the bullet, a CT scan was ordered. Post-scan, the projectile will be extracted, allowing completion of the postmortem formalities.
With procedures underway, arrangements are being made to release the body to the native village. The administration’s display of restraint and openness has helped restore calm, as locals await justice in this narcotics crackdown.