M.P. hooch deaths: prime accused used AI to help brew liquor at home, say police

In Dewas, Madhya Pradesh, authorities have arrested a prime accused, Ajay Rathore, for allegedly using artificial intelligence (AI) to aid in the production of illicit liquor at home. According to Dewas Kotwali police station in-charge Shashikant Chourasia, Rathore, a 26-year-old resident of Indore, learned the formula for mixing chemicals and water to create fake liquor while using an AI app.

Since September 27, over 13 people have died in the Chandana and Binjana villages due to consuming spurious liquor. The District Excise Officer in Dewas was suspended over "gross negligence" amid the allegations. State Excise Commissioner Deepak Saxena suspended Basanti Bhuria for failing to control the manufacturing and sale of illicit liquor in her jurisdiction, as two deaths are currently under investigation.

The additional SP, Dewas, Gajendra Singh Vardhman, explained that Rathore used AI to search for information on liquor production and sourcing chemical sellers. He and his associates purchased scrap liquor bottles and used them to supply the fake liquor. The police are probing the supply of additional materials used in the production and are expecting more accused to be added to the case.