40 fall ill after consuming adulterated toddy in Tamil Nadu, 4 critical

At least 40 people fell ill and four were hospitalized in critical condition after allegedly consuming spurious toddy laced with sedative tablets in the Gundadam area of Tiruppur district , prompting a police crackdown on illegal liquor vendors, officials said.

The victims, most of them farm labourers from nearby villages , began experiencing vomiting, dizziness, fainting and severe discomfort shortly after drinking the fermented palm beverage purchased from an illegal toddy outlet operating near a coconut grove on Saturday evening.

According to preliminary investigations, the toddy had been spiked with a cocktail of sedative medicines , commonly used in psychiatric treatment, allegedly to enhance the intoxicating effect and make the drink appear stronger.

Police said four people who were found unconscious were first taken to Dharapuram Government Hospital and later shifted to Coimbatore Medical College Hospital (CMCH) for specialised care. Doctors said their condition is currently stable but they remain under close observation .

Following the incident, the district administration and the Prohibition Enforcement Wing (PEW) launched a large-scale crackdown on illegal toddy tapping and sale across the Gundadam and Dharapuram belts. Officials have sealed suspected vending points, seized containers and toddy-tapping equipment, and collected samples for forensic examination to determine the exact substances mixed in the drink.

In Tamil Nadu, the sale of fermented toddy is banned , though unfermented palm sap known as “Neera” can be sold under strict regulations . The prohibition has often led to the emergence of clandestine toddy shacks where vendors allegedly mix sedatives such as alprazolam or chloral hydrate to mimic the potency of high-quality liquor.

Police said efforts are underway to identify and arrest those responsible for preparing and distributing the adulterated drink , while health authorities continue monitoring those affected.