MP forms one-member judicial panel to probe Sagar spurious liquor tragedy

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) team visited the families of victims from the spurious liquor tragedy in Madhya Pradesh’s Sagar district on Tuesday. The incident has resulted in at least 20 fatalities and over 100 individuals hospitalized, with several losing their eyesight. NHRC member Priyank Kanoongo met the families in Jagthar and Ghugar villages.

He noted that some families claimed the police had not yet recorded their statements, despite waiting several days. Kanoongo emphasized that the police must take strict action and follow all legal provisions. He also requested the police to list all liquor agents in the district and impose severe penalties. The NHRC member was surprised to discover that the alcoholic beverage causing the deaths had been obtained from government-permitted stores.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav had ordered a probe following the tragedy, and the state's minister of state, Govind Singh Rajput, had promised compensation to the affected families. So far, 19 of the 30 individuals accused in the case have been arrested, while the main accused, Manish Lodhi alias Yashwant Rajput, remains at large.