Archive · 20 Aug 2026
Four Dead, 18 Hospitalised in Gujarat Spurious Liquor Case
People in Bhavnagar district, Gujarat, became sick after drinking liquor believed to be fake or contaminated.
The liquor was reportedly sold in bottles copied from an Indian liquor brand.
Officials later said four people had died and 18 others were in hospitals.
In total, at least 22 people were affected.
The first illnesses were connected to a gathering in Kharkadi village.
Police detained four people suspected of distributing the liquor.
Investigators believe some bottles may have come from Madhya Pradesh.
Doctors and forensic experts were testing patients, bottles and medical samples.
Early reports gave different numbers, and one death had not yet been conclusively linked to the liquor.
Officials later reported four deaths and 18 hospitalisations among 22 people affected in Bhavnagar district.
The victims reportedly consumed suspected spurious liquor from duplicate bottles of an IMFL brand, identified by one report as Royal Stag.
The illnesses were initially linked to a gathering in Kharkadi village in Ghogha taluka on August 16.
Police detained four suspected bootleggers, seized bottles and investigated a possible supply route from Madhya Pradesh.
Earlier reports cited two deaths and 19 hospitalisations, while one report mentioned a possible fifth death; testing was still pending for one victim.
- Who
- At least 22 people were affected; officials later reported four deaths and 18 hospitalisations. Four suspected bootleggers were detained. The deceased were identified as Kartik Makwana, Upendra Gohil, Ghanshyam Jadeja and Narendra Yadav, although Yadav's death had not been conclusively linked to the liquor.
- What
- People consumed suspected spurious liquor from duplicate IMFL bottles, resulting in deaths and serious illnesses.
- When
- The liquor was reportedly consumed at a gathering on August 16; authorities received information around 6 p.m. on August 18, and deaths and hospitalisations were reported over the following days.
- Where
- The incident was initially linked to Kharkadi, also spelled Kharakadi, village in Ghogha taluka of Bhavnagar district, Gujarat. Patients were treated at five hospitals, including Sir Takhtasinhji General Hospital.
- Why
- Authorities suspect that duplicate or contaminated liquor caused the illnesses. Its production and supply route remained under investigation.
Later Official Account
Earlier or Unconfirmed Reports
Number of deaths and hospitalisations
Later Official Account
District officials later reported four deaths and 18 hospitalisations, with 22 people affected overall.
Earlier or Unconfirmed Reports
Earlier reports cited two deaths and 19 hospitalisations; one report mentioned a possible fifth death and about 20 hospitalisations.
Cause of the fourth death
Later Official Account
Officials confirmed that three deaths were linked to the suspected spurious liquor and said the fourth was being treated as part of the incident.
Earlier or Unconfirmed Reports
Postmortem and toxicology results for Narendra Yadav were still awaited, so officials had not conclusively established that his death was caused by the liquor.
- Later official toll
- Four people died and 18 others were hospitalised; the district administration said 22 people were affected.
- Hospital conditions
- Of the 18 hospitalised patients, two were critical, four were in intensive care, two were on ventilators and 10 were stable.
- Suspected product
- The liquor came in duplicate bottles of an IMFL brand; one report identified the brand as Royal Stag.
- Suspected source
- Preliminary police inquiries pointed to Madhya Pradesh, but the exact source and supply route had not been established.
- Police action
- Four suspected bootleggers were detained, and several bottles of the suspected liquor were seized.
- Investigation
- Forensic teams examined bottle and medical samples; toxicology and postmortem results were pending for Narendra Yadav.
- Conflicting reports
- Initial reports cited two deaths and 19 hospitalisations, while a later report's headline mentioned five deaths and 20 hospitalisations; its body described four deaths and 18 hospitalisations.
- Medical response
- Treatment was provided at five hospitals, with doctors from Sir T Hospital and Ahmedabad's Institute of Kidney Diseases and Research Centre assisting medical teams.
Sources
2 dead after drinking contaminated liquor in dry Gujarat, 19 in hospital
4 Dead, 18 Hospitalised After Consuming Fake Liquor In Dry Gujarat
Four dead, 8 critical after consuming spurious liquor in Gujarat’s Bhavnagar
Two Die, 19 Hospitalised After Consuming Spurious Liquor in Gujarat
Five Dead, 20 Others Hospitalised After Consuming Spurious Liquor in Gujarat’s Bhavnagar
Four dead, 8 critical after consuming spurious liquor in Gujarat’s Bhavnagar
At least 2 killed & 19 hospitalised after spurious liquor consumption in ‘dry state’ Gujarat
