Behind fatal concoction that killed 12, gang that mimicked booze by Madhya Pradesh brands

A deadly incident in Madhya Pradesh has claimed the lives of 12 individuals and left many more critically ill. The tragedy stems from the consumption of spurious country liquor that allegedly originated from a gang in the neighboring state of Uttar Pradesh. The victims, primarily from Nauraj and Gogra villages in the Banda police station area, were rushed to hospitals on the night of the incident.

Police Superintendent Anurag Sujaniya confirmed that the substance responsible for the deaths was identified as country liquor, and the investigation has pointed towards a gang based in Lalitpur, Uttar Pradesh, with a history of manufacturing and circulating counterfeit liquor. The substance closely mimics popular Madhya Pradesh brands, suggesting that the gang is targeting local markets.

Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh's Lalitpur are part of the Bundelkhand region, where the illicit liquor tragedy has unfolded. Preliminary findings from the investigation reveal that the gang is likely responsible for supplying the illicit liquor to the affected areas. In response to the incident, disciplinary action has been taken against Excise Department officials, with Deputy Chief Minister Jagdish Devda announcing that three officials have been suspended.

The government has also directed authorities to investigate the role of the liquor licensee responsible for the distribution of the spurious liquor and to take strict legal action against them if found guilty. Ten individuals have been detained in connection with the case as investigators work to trace the source of the supply and those involved in its distribution.

The police are examining whether administrative lapses allowed the illicit liquor to reach the affected villages, recognizing that both the Excise Department and the Police share responsibility for addressing the issue.