Bhopal: At least 12 people have died after allegedly consuming spurious country liquor in Madhya Pradesh’s Sagar district, while several others remain hospitalised, prompting a major investigation into an illicit liquor supply network operating across the neighbouring states of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
The victims were primarily from Nauraj and Gogra villages under the Banda police station area. Critically ill people began reaching hospitals early Sunday after consuming the suspected illicit liquor on Saturday night.
Sagar Superintendent of Police Anurag Sujaniya said the substance was initially identified as country liquor, with the preliminary investigation pointing towards a gang based in Lalitpur, Uttar Pradesh. According to police, the gang has previously faced legal action for allegedly manufacturing and distributing spurious liquor.
Investigators suspect that the gang manufactured counterfeit liquor designed to resemble established Madhya Pradesh liquor brands before supplying it to the state. Police are now tracing the supply chain to determine where the liquor originated, who transported it and how it reached the affected villages.
The administration has also initiated disciplinary action against Excise Department officials following preliminary findings of possible negligence. Deputy Chief Minister Jagdish Devda said the death toll was approximately 11-12 and confirmed that three officials had been suspended. The Deputy Excise Commissioner has been attached to the department headquarters pending a detailed inquiry.
Authorities have also ordered an investigation into the role of the concerned liquor licensee and said strict legal action would follow if any wrongdoing is established.
Around 10 people have been detained for questioning as investigators work to identify those responsible for manufacturing, supplying and distributing the illicit liquor.
The incident has also raised questions over possible lapses by both the Excise Department and police in preventing illegal liquor from reaching local consumers.
