9 dead in Madhya Pradesh after suspected spurious liquor consumption

The victims, residents of Ghooghar, Naoraj, Baraj and nearby villages, reportedly consumed liquor on Saturday night.

Their health deteriorated soon afterwards, following which their families rushed them to hospital. Doctors, however, declared them dead.

While consumption of poisonous or spurious liquor is being suspected, authorities have not yet officially confirmed alcohol poisoning as the cause of death.

Post-mortem to establish cause

Police said the exact cause of the deaths will be determined after post-mortem examinations.

Investigators are collecting information from the victims’ families and local residents. Authorities are also expected to test the liquor allegedly consumed by the victims and trace its source.

The probe will examine whether the deaths are linked and whether an illegal liquor network was operating in the area.

Officials have not ruled out the possibility of further casualties as authorities continue to assess the situation.

Mohan Yadav orders detailed probe

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said he had directed the concerned minister and officials to immediately visit the affected area following the deaths.

Yadav assured that a detailed investigation would be conducted and those found responsible would face strict action.

He said his government would not tolerate incidents involving the distribution of illicit or spurious liquor.

Deputy Chief Minister Jagdish Devda also expressed grief over the deaths and said those responsible would not be spared.

Devda said he had obtained details from the district administration and police and that the Excise Commissioner was being sent to the spot.

Spurious liquor deaths raise concern

The Sagar deaths come amid other recent cases involving suspected spurious liquor consumption in India.

Last month, 13 people died in Gujarat’s Bhavnagar district after allegedly consuming spurious liquor, while several others were hospitalised.

Authorities had detained suspected illegal liquor sellers in connection with the case. Investigators later found that the liquor consumed by the victims contained 38.59% methanol, a highly toxic substance.

Gujarat is a prohibition state, where the manufacture, sale and consumption of alcohol are banned, subject to limited legal exceptions.

The latest deaths in Sagar have once again raised concerns over the production and circulation of illicit liquor and the risks posed by toxic substances used in spurious alcohol.