In ‘dry state’ Gujarat, a barcode warning after toxic liquor kills 7

In the state of Gujarat, which has been under prohibition since the 1960s, authorities in Bhavnagar have issued a warning to the public following the deaths of seven individuals due to contaminated liquor. The State Monitoring Cell discovered that all seven victims consumed bottles of a whisky brand with a specific barcode: 8901522000665.

This barcode was found on IMFL – Indian-Made Foreign Liquor – bottles that were contaminated and seized by authorities. The public has been urged not to drink from bottles bearing this barcode. The investigation revealed that an ill-informed attempt to distill liquor resulted in the tragedy. One of those involved in the illicit liquor-making is among the victims; the victim's identity has not been disclosed.

Forensic lab reports showed that the drink consumed by the victims contained a dangerously high level of methanol, a toxic substance not found in licensed alcoholic beverages. The victims have been identified, and 21 accused, including the alleged ringleader Gautam Solanki, have been named in the case.