Mumbai: At least 18 people have died in the last 48 hours in Maharashtra’s Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad after consuming suspected illicit countrymade liquor. Of this, 13 people died in Pimpri Chinchwad and 5 in Pune’s Hadapsar area.
The police have arrested 8 people, including who they say is a bootlegger, in connection with the deaths. Prima facie it is suspected that the supply of methanol-laced liquor to Phugewadi area in Pimpri Chinchwad caused these deaths.
“Following multiple deaths in Phugewadi, we launched a probe. We found that 7 persons have died so far due to suspected consumption of toxic liquor, and 3 others are under treatment,” Sandip Atole, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 1), Pimpri Chinchwad told the media.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said he has ordered an inquiry. “We believe there are more people involved in this and the police are investigating this. This is a serious matter. More people can be arrested. The entire chain will be exposed,” he said.
Meanwhile, Pune police have launched an investigation focusing on the illicit countrymade liquor angle after 5 people died within 24 hours in the city’s Hadapsar area.
Yogesh Wankhede, alleged to be the key conspirator, surrendered before the police.
State Excise Commissioner Atul Kanade said the department has launched a probe following the deaths. “We detained one Yogesh Wankhede, who had supplied liquor to both Phugewadi and Hadapsar. He has been handed over to the Pimpri Chinchwad police, and they are taking further action,” he added.
Locals are claiming that illicit country liquor was being rampantly sold in the area.
NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) leader Rohit Pawar attacked the Mahayuti government and said that though the government is in power because of a brute majority, morally it has lost people’s trust. Speaking to the media, questioned the police administration and alleged that “there is some kind of negligence from the police side”.
“Police are also responsible for these deaths because they are indulging in hafta vasooli (rent-seeking). The government is also responsible for this and they should apologize to the people,” said the MLA from Karjat-Jamkhed.
“There has to be strict action against this. The sale of this alcohol has to be stopped. Who is responsible for these deaths? Police and government are. Entire families are getting destroyed. There should be a ban on liquor,” said a woman who lost her nephew.
Another victim’s daughter said, “He consumed alcohol regularly and used to drink day and night. After drinking, he would often skip meals and fall asleep.
“Yesterday, he returned after work and consumed liquor again. He had experienced dizziness four or five times earlier as well but we never imagined it would become so serious. He used to consume country-made liquor.”
(Edited by Amrtansh Arora)
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