1 hr ago
Sagar Hooch Tragedy Toll Reaches 12; 14 Accused Arrested
Twelve people died after allegedly drinking poisonous alcohol in villages near Sagar.
Fifty-four others became sick, with symptoms including blurred vision and dizziness.
About 25 to 30 people were still being watched by doctors.
Two of them were in critical condition.
One sick person was flown to Bhopal for treatment.
Police named 30 people as accused and arrested 14 of them.
Officials are investigating whether the alcohol came from Lalitpur in neighboring Uttar Pradesh.
Some excise and police officials were suspended.
The chief minister ordered an investigation and said anyone found guilty would be punished.
The death toll from suspected spurious liquor in Madhya Pradesh’s Sagar district rose to 12.
Fifty-four people reportedly fell ill after drinking the liquor in two villages of Banda tehsil.
About 25 to 30 people remained under medical observation, including two in critical condition.
Police arrested 14 of the 30 people named as accused in three FIRs.
Authorities suspended three excise officials and two police personnel while investigating alleged supply links to Lalitpur.
- Who
- Twelve people died, 54 fell ill, and 30 people were named as accused; 14 have been arrested.
- What
- A suspected spurious-liquor poisoning incident caused deaths and illnesses.
- Where
- Two villages in Banda tehsil, about 30 kilometers from Sagar district headquarters, Madhya Pradesh.
- When
- The deaths and illnesses were reported on Sunday, and the death toll rose on Monday.
- Why
- Authorities suspect the victims consumed poisonous or spurious liquor allegedly supplied from Lalitpur.
Government Response
Opposition Criticism
Accountability and arrests
Government Response
The government ordered an investigation, arrested 14 suspects, launched a crackdown on bootleggers, and said no guilty person would be spared.
Opposition Criticism
Congress leader P.C. Sharma said the government had failed to prevent the sale of illicit liquor and suggested that people linked to the ruling establishment could be involved.
Source of the liquor
Government Response
Officials said the preliminary investigation indicated that the liquor was supplied from Lalitpur in neighboring Uttar Pradesh and was investigating a possible link with a local liquor outlet owner.
Opposition Criticism
P.C. Sharma argued that production of the toxic liquor was likely occurring somewhere in Madhya Pradesh and questioned why those responsible had not been apprehended.
Key facts
- Death toll
- 12 people
- People who fell ill
- 54
- People under observation
- Approximately 25 to 30
- Critical patients
- Two
- Accused named
- 30
- Accused arrested
- 14
- Official action
- Three excise officials and two police personnel were suspended
Quotes
Shashindra Chouhan
Sagar Range Deputy Inspector General of Police
“There is a gang in Lalitpur that supplies this kind of poisonous liquor. Since this area is adjacent to Uttar Pradesh, this has come to light in the preliminary investigation.”
deccanchronicle.com
telegraphindia.com
“They are very sad, pained, I have consoled. They expect action against suspected persons, I have assured, the government will leave no stone unturned to punish them.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
Related news
Sagar Hooch Tragedy Kills 11; Probe, Suspensions Follow
Sagar Suspected Hooch Tragedy Leaves 11 Dead, Dozens Hospitalised
Conflicting Death Tolls Reported in Sagar Spurious Liquor Tragedy
Gujarat Toxic Liquor Deaths Rise To Eight; 39 Treated
13 More Arrested in Bhavnagar Hooch Tragedy Case
Sagar Hooch Tragedy Reveals Uttar Pradesh Link and Fake Labels
Priyank Kharge Rejects Resignation Demand Over Karnataka KPSC Scam
Bengal BJP chief’s Gupta-Jaiswal remarks trigger political row
Haldwani Purification Ritual Sparks Caste Discrimination and Political Row
BJP grassroots unease grows over protests, Bhardwaj arrest
