Gujarat Spurious Liquor Death Toll Rises To 8; 13 Accused Get 10-Day Police Remand
Bhavnagar: The death toll in the spurious liquor case has risen to eight, with all 13 accused arrested so far being remanded in police custody for 10 days until August 31, as the State Monitoring Cell (SMC) continues its investigation into the supply and distribution of the poisonous liquor.
The remand was granted by Third Additional Judge Dharmesh Jani on Thursday. The 13 accused are being questioned as investigators seek to establish the source of the spurious liquor, the wider supply network and the roles of those allegedly involved in its manufacture and distribution.
Law and Order IGP Makarand Chauhan said eight people had died in the incident in Bhavnagar district, while 31 others were undergoing treatment at various hospitals in the district. One of the patients is being treated at a private hospital in Surat.
“On the directions of the State Police Chief, an in-depth investigation into the entire case has been handed over to the State Monitoring Cell,” Chauhan said.
He said legal proceedings had been initiated and investigations are underway in connection with cases registered at Bharatnagar and Vartej police stations.
The latest action comes amid a widening police investigation into the consumption and distribution of spurious liquor in Bhavnagar. Police had earlier found that victims had consumed duplicate liquor sold in bottles bearing ‘Royal Stag’ stickers.
A seized bottle was reported to have contained a high concentration of methanol, with chemical analysis recording 38.59 per cent methanol and 0.94 per cent ethanol.
The State Monitoring Cell took over the investigation following directions from Gujarat Director General of Police (DGP) G.S. Malik.
SMC teams have arrested 13 people so far and seized duplicate liquor bottles, chemicals and colours allegedly used in preparing counterfeit liquor, along with stickers, sticker rolls, bottle caps, cardboard and other material.
Police have said the suspected liquor was brought from outside Gujarat and that investigators are tracing the supply chain and locations where the counterfeit stock was allegedly prepared and distributed.
Teams have been sent to different locations in Gujarat and elsewhere in the country to apprehend other accused whose involvement has emerged during the investigation.
The police action has also extended to personnel suspected of negligence in connection with the incident.
“The Bhavnagar District Local Crime Branch (LCB) Police Inspector had been suspended by the State Police Chief. The Police Inspector of Vartej Police Station was suspended by the Bhavnagar Range Inspector General,” Chauhan said.
Three D-Staff personnel and the local beat jamadar of Vartej Police Station, along with a woman jamadar of Nilambaug Police Station, have also been suspended with immediate effect by the Bhavnagar District Superintendent of Police.
The incident initially came to light after people fell seriously ill following consumption of suspected spurious liquor during gatherings in and around Kharakdi village in Ghogha taluka.
Several victims developed symptoms including vomiting and breathing difficulties and were admitted to hospitals.
Police subsequently registered a case against 21 accused under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and the Gujarat Prohibition Act.
The investigation is focused on determining the complete chain of procurement, preparation, transportation and sale of the spurious liquor.
Authorities have also appealed to anyone who has consumed liquor from bottles bearing the suspected Royal Stag sticker to immediately seek medical attention, while people possessing such bottles have been asked not to consume them and to inform the police.
(IANS)
