Gujarat Hooch Tragedy Toll Reaches 13, Investigation Expands to MP, Delhi

The death toll in the Bhavnagar spurious liquor tragedy rose to 13 on Sunday after two more victims died while undergoing treatment, officials said. The latest fatalities were identified as Mukesh Damor, 36, and Bhargav Upadhyay, 42.

Upadhyay was receiving treatment at a private hospital, while Damor was admitted to the civil hospital. Three other victims remain hospitalised, officials said. In the past two days, five people have died in the tragedy.

According to authorities, 67 people consumed the methanol-laced liquor, while 24 others who had consumed the same substance were traced and medically examined. They were reportedly found to be in normal health.

The incident came to light after three friends consumed the liquor in Vartej on the night of August 16. All three fell seriously ill, with one subsequently dying. Blood tests of the first victim, Upendrasinh Gohil, detected methanol.

A Forensic Science Laboratory report found that the liquor contained 38.59 per cent methanol and 0.94 per cent ethanol, highlighting the highly toxic nature of the substance. The liquor was allegedly packed in bottles carrying the label of a popular Indian-made foreign liquor brand and supplied to bootleggers.

Police have so far arrested 13 of the 21 accused named in the FIR registered at Vartej police station. The accused face charges including culpable homicide not amounting to murder, adulteration and poisoning under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Gujarat Prohibition Act.

The investigation has been handed over to the State Monitoring Cell, which specialises in tackling illicit liquor and gambling operations across Gujarat.

Police allege that the toxic liquor was prepared at the residence of Gautam Solanki in Vartej, with assistance from individuals linked to Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh. Teams have been dispatched to Madhya Pradesh and Delhi to trace the supply chain.

Authorities are also investigating the source of the raw materials and bottle-sealing equipment used in the operation. Prima facie, investigators suspect that the accused were involved in the illegal trade for financial gain.