In 'dry' Gujarat, 28 people dead after drinking spurious alcohol

28 people have died so far in Gujarat's Botad district after consuming  spurious liquor, ANI reported Gujarat DGP Ashish Bhatia as saying.

Botad spurious liquor tragedy | A total of 28 people have died in the tragedy: Gujarat DGP Ashish Bhatia pic.twitter.com/BlC5hZdMkT

— ANI (@ANI) July 26, 2022

Around 30 people are undergoing treatment at government hospitals in Botad, Bhavnagar and Dhandhuka.

What happened: On Monday morning, some people living in Rojid village of Barvala taluka were referred to government hospitals as their condition started deteriorating after consuming spurious liquor.

One of the patients, Himmatbhai, told PTI that at least 15 people fell ill after drinking the hooch they had purchased from a bootlegger on Sunday night.

Most of the deceased are daily wage labourers from different villages.

SIT probe: A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to probe the matter. The Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) and the Ahmedabad crime branch have also joined the investigation.

#WATCH | A high-level meeting was held under the chairmanship of the Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghvi to take the incident of drinking chemical-laced liquid seriously: Gujarat Chief Minister's Office (CMO)

(Source: CMO) pic.twitter.com/OoYSJmAaU7

— ANI (@ANI) July 26, 2022

Police has filed FIR in the matter and a case has been registered under sections 302, 328, 120B and other sections of prohibition act.

Cost of each death Rs 40: A small plastic packet of alcohol which is called 'Potli' was being sold at Rs 40 each by a bootlegger in Rojid village, reported India Today.

The culprits: According to the SIT probe, a company called Emos is believed to have supplied the methyl which was present in the poisonous liquor consumed by the victims, reported India Today.

So far, 10 people have been detained by the police for illegal trade of alcohol.

Dry Gujarat: Gujarat is a 'dry' state and under the Gujarat Prohibition Act, police can arrest a person for purchasing, consuming or serving alcohol without a permit, with punishment ranging from three months to five years in prison. The law also penalises the transporting of liquor.

Politics over the incident: Terming the incident “unfortunate” Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, who is on a Gujarat visit, alleged that illegal liquor is being sold in large quantities in Gujarat where prohibition is in place.

Gujarat | We pay our condolences to those who died in the hooch tragedy, we also pray for the speedy recovery of those who are currently under treatment in the hospital: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal on hooch tragedy in Dhandhuka, Ahmedabad pic.twitter.com/LZD8zDsxqC

— ANI (@ANI) July 26, 2022

He alleged that people selling illicit liquor are enjoying political protection, reported PTI.