The SP stated that the investigation into the affected individuals revealed a common factor: most of them had consumed liquor from counterfeit bottles. He mentioned that preliminary inquiries indicate these bottles were brought from Madhya Pradesh.
भावनगर: शराब बंदी वाले गुजरात में जहरीली शराब से 4 की मौत, 18 लोग अस्पताल में भर्ती
Four people have died and 18 others have been hospitalized after consuming illicit liquor in Gujarat’s Bhavnagar district. Eight of the hospitalized individuals are in critical condition. Notably, Gujarat is a ‘dry state’ where the manufacture, sale, and consumption of alcohol are completely prohibited. Despite this, incidents of deaths caused by illicit liquor frequently occur, raising serious questions about the government’s enforcement.
Officials stated on Wednesday that four illicit liquor sellers have been detained in connection with the incident. The victims had consumed spurious liquor sold under the label of a popular Indian-Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) brand. Bhavnagar District Collector Manish Kumar said the district administration received information on Tuesday evening—around 6 PM—that five friends had fallen ill after consuming illicit liquor during a gathering in Kharkhadi village, located in the district’s Ghogha taluka.
Total of 22 people affected; four dead
The District Collector said, “People from other villages and areas within Bhavnagar city have also been affected. A total of 22 people have been impacted. Of these, four have died, while 18 others are currently undergoing treatment.” Kumar identified the deceased as Kartik Makwana (40), Upendra Gohil (25), Ghanshyam Jadeja (50), and Narendra Yadav.
However, he noted that it is not yet entirely clear whether Yadav’s death was caused by the consumption of the illicit liquor. He added, “According to medical reports, among the 18 people undergoing treatment, two are in critical condition, four are in the ICU, and two are on ventilators, while the condition of the remaining 10 is stable.”
Victims consumed liquor from a counterfeit bottle of a specific brand
The District Collector mentioned that one individual from Surat is undergoing treatment there, while a person from Jamnagar is asymptomatic. He also appealed to all individuals in the affected areas who had consumed a specific brand of IMFL over the past four days to get themselves examined at a nearby hospital or at Sir T Hospital in Bhavnagar, regardless of whether they were showing symptoms.
Teams of doctors from Sir T Hospital and the Institute of Kidney Diseases and Research Centre (IKDRC) in Ahmedabad are being deployed to monitor the free treatment camps operating in private hospitals. Superintendent of Police (SP) Nitesh Pandey stated that a few days ago, a group of people in Kharkhadi village consumed liquor from a “duplicate” bottle of an IMFL brand, after which their health deteriorated. He reported that one person subsequently died, and six others were admitted to various hospitals in Bhavnagar.
Illegal liquor sellers detained
The SP stated that illegal liquor sellers from Vartej and other police station areas in the city have been detained. The official noted that examinations of the affected individuals revealed a common factor: most of them had consumed liquor from duplicate bottles. Preliminary investigations indicate that these bottles were brought from Madhya Pradesh; further inquiries are underway to determine their exact source, how they were manufactured, and who dispatched them to the area.
The SP said, “Following interrogation of these individuals, we deployed various police teams. Using technical surveillance and intelligence, they detained four illegal liquor sellers responsible for supplying the duplicate IMFL brand bottles. Legal action is being taken.” The official added that several bottles of the same brand were recovered from the detainees, and efforts are ongoing to apprehend other liquor sellers involved in the supply of the spurious liquor. He also mentioned that a team from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) is assisting with the scientific investigation.
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