Bhavnagar, August 24: The death toll from the toxic liquor tragedy in Gujarat has risen to 13, following the deaths of two more individuals who consumed methanol-laced counterfeit alcohol. Officials reported that Mukesh Manilal Damor, 36, died late Saturday night, while 42-year-old Bhargav Upadhyay was declared dead on Sunday morning.
These fatalities occurred as the state surveillance unit (SMC) continues its investigation into the production and distribution of the toxic liquor. Out of 21 suspects named in the first information report (FIR) filed at the Vartej police station, 13 have been arrested.
A local court has remanded the arrested individuals to police custody until September 1. Investigators are also searching for suspects believed to have traveled from Madhya Pradesh to Bhavnagar to produce illegal liquor.
Sources indicate that 47-year-old Narendra Singh Yadav, also known as “Doctor,” had assisted in the liquor production and succumbed to the same toxic brew. Yadav was a resident of Indore.
The investigation revealed that a seized bottle of the suspect liquor contained 38.59 percent methanol. The SMC is actively trying to identify other suspects from Madhya Pradesh and is seeking transit warrants to bring those detained in that state to Gujarat. Further arrests are anticipated.
Gagandeep Gambhir, the Inspector General of the SMC, visited Bhavnagar on Saturday as part of the ongoing investigation. This incident came to light after several individuals fell ill following celebrations in the Kharkadi village of the Ghogha taluka in mid-August.
Authorities later discovered that the counterfeit liquor was being sold in bottles bearing labels resembling the “Royal Stag” brand. The police investigation alleges that the liquor was smuggled from outside Gujarat, adulterated, and distributed through a large network.
The SMC has seized counterfeit liquor bottles, chemicals, and dyes purportedly used in the production of fake alcohol, along with stickers, caps, sticker rolls, cardboard, and other materials. The FIR against the 21 named suspects includes various sections of the Indian Penal Code, 2023, and the Gujarat Prohibition Act.
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