10 people dead after suspected methanol poisoning from drinking counterfeit alcohol
Spurious liquor is believed to have contributed to more than ten people’s deaths in a central Indian state, prompting police to launch an investigation into the ‘unfortunate’ tragedy.
Illegal hooch is apparently making its way through Madhya Pradesh—considered the second-largest state in India by area—with almost 50 people reporting various and serious symptoms of alcohol poisoning.
At least ten people who have drunk the poisonous liquor have died following hospital admission; several outlets, including NDTV and The Hindu Times, have actually reported the fatalities up to 12.
The Tribune said that the susbstance was allegedly supplied from Lalitpur in neighbouring Uttar Pradesh.
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Sagar Range Deputy Inspector General of Police, Shashindra Chouhan, confirmed to the paper ‘that three FIRs have been registered’ based on complaints by the surviving victims.
"Eleven people have died after consuming illegal spurious liquor in two villages of Banda tehsil, about 30 km from the district headquarters," Chouhan reportedly said.
Villages impacted by the drinks apparently include Nauraj, Gogra Khurd, Bamura, and Patan under the Banda tehsil limits, as per The Hindu.
Sagar Collector Pratibha Pal echoed: “There is a gang in Lalitpur that supplies this kind of poisonous liquor.
“Since this area is adjacent to Uttar Pradesh, this has come to light in the preliminary investigation. The matter is being investigated.”
Seven liquor shops in the area have since been sealed; precautionary sampling is currently underway to prevent further illness from hitting locals.
It’s understood that of the 50+ people who have fallen ill, at least 49 have reported symptoms common to alcohol poisoning, including blurred vision and dizziness.
Many who drank the laced substance were screened and admitted to Bundelkhand Medical College and Hospital (BMCH), officials confirmed.
“Police teams searched the affected villages since morning for people who may have consumed liquor,” Chouhan continued.
Mohan Yadav, Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, has described the deaths as ‘extremely sad and unfortunate’ while directing officials to ‘take strict action against those responsible’, as per The Tribune.
The publication added that he asserted that no guilty person would be spared justice.
Deepak Saxena, State Excise Commissioner, told The Hindu that action has already been taken against at least four officials for serious negligence and for failing to act on complaints about the sale of alleged spurious liquor in some villages.
“Had they run a seizure campaign or taken any action, the sale could have been controlled,” he reported. “It was their responsibility.”
The Banda police station house officer and ‘an outpost in-charge’ have also been suspended, Chouhan confirmed.
Anurag Sujania, Sagar Superintendent of Police, added on Sunday (6 September) that up to 12 suspects have since been detained and are pending questioning.
“[We] are trying to establish a link through a systematic interrogation. We are also trying to curtail its movement, if it is anywhere else, to prvent anymore loss of life.”
The latest incident of suspected methanol fatalities comes just weeks after 13 people died due to illegal liquor consumption in the state’s Bhavnagar district, according to reports.
Ella Scott