Archive · 15 Sep 2026
NHRC Directs Action After Sagar Spurious Liquor Deaths
At least 20 people in Sagar district died after allegedly drinking illegal or unsafe liquor.
More than 100 others were taken to hospital, and some reportedly lost their eyesight.
A team from the National Human Rights Commission visited the victims’ families.
The team said police should quickly record what the families know.
Some relatives said police had not yet taken their statements.
They also alleged that local liquor suppliers had not been questioned or punished.
Police have arrested 19 people in the case, but the alleged main accused is still missing.
The government has also said the victims’ families will receive compensation.
At least 20 people have died after allegedly consuming spurious liquor in Sagar district’s Banda tehsil.
More than 100 people were hospitalised, with some reportedly losing their eyesight.
An NHRC team met victims’ families in Jagthar and Ghugar villages on Tuesday.
NHRC member Priyank Kanoongo directed police to immediately record relatives’ statements and investigate liquor suppliers.
Police have arrested 19 of 30 accused; alleged main accused Manish Lodhi, also known as Yashwant Rajput, remains absconding.
- Who
- Victims and their families, the National Human Rights Commission team led by Priyank Kanoongo, and police investigating the case.
- What
- An alleged spurious-liquor tragedy caused at least 20 deaths and hospitalised more than 100 people; the NHRC directed police to take further action.
- When
- The NHRC team met the families on Tuesday, September 15; the report does not specify the year.
- Where
- Jagthar and Ghugar villages in Sagar district, Madhya Pradesh; victims were treated at Bundelkhand Medical College Hospital.
- Why
- The NHRC visited after the alleged liquor deaths and complaints that police had not recorded relatives’ statements or acted against local liquor suppliers.
- Reported deaths
- At least 20 people
- Hospitalised
- More than 100 people
- Location
- Banda tehsil, Sagar district, Madhya Pradesh
- Treatment facility
- Bundelkhand Medical College Hospital
- Arrests
- 19 of 30 accused arrested
- Main accused
- Manish Lodhi alias Yashwant Rajput remains absconding
- NHRC instruction
- Police were told to immediately record victims’ relatives’ statements and take strict action
- Compensation
- Madhya Pradesh minister Govind Singh Rajput announced compensation for victims’ families
