Bhavnagar, August 20: In Gujarat’s Bhavnagar district, the death toll from consuming toxic alcohol has risen to seven. Four police officers have been suspended in connection with the case. Additionally, FIRs have been filed against 21 individuals accused of producing and selling counterfeit alcohol.
According to Bhavnagar’s Superintendent of Police, Nitesh Pandey, between 25 to 28 people are currently receiving treatment for alcohol poisoning.
The FIR was registered near the Vartej police station on August 19, located in the Kharkadi village of the Ghogha taluka.
Authorities have identified 21 suspects from Kharkadi in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, and Bhavnagar, with cases filed against all of them. Police reports indicate that the toxic alcohol was transported from Ujjain, where it was adulterated before distribution in Bhavnagar and surrounding areas.
The bottles of toxic alcohol involved in the FIR were labeled with a company brand. Investigations revealed that various individuals connected to a network were involved in its sale. The alcohol was adulterated before being sold through different channels to the public.
Police are now working to uncover the entire supply chain to determine how the alcohol reached consumers and where any remaining stock was sent.
An FIR has also been filed concerning the chemical analysis report. The investigation revealed that a significant amount of methanol was used in the seized Royal Stage bottles. The toxic alcohol contained 38.59% methanol and 0.94% ethanol.
The FIR documents the methanol levels found in several victims, including Upendra Singh Gohil and Kartik Bhai Makwana.
The situation came to light when individuals began experiencing vomiting and respiratory distress after consuming the alcohol, leading to their hospitalization in Bhavnagar.
Statements from the victims and their medical reports have been documented in the FIR. Police are now gathering information about the source of the toxic alcohol, including how it was adulterated and sold to the public. They are investigating the entire process involved in its distribution.
The State Monitoring Cell (SMC) is currently conducting a thorough investigation into the matter, aiming to uncover the full process behind the supply of this toxic alcohol to the public.
Leave a Comment