NE NEWS SERVICE
GANDHINAGAR/BOTAD, JULY 26
The number of deaths due to the consumption of chemical-laced liquor or spurious liquor in Gujarat’s Botad district has gone up 28 while three FIRs have been registered at Barwala, Ranpur and Ahmedabad Rural, informed the officials on Tuesday.
- Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghvi takes note of the situation and chairs a meeting regarding the case.
- Main Opposition Congress and AAP leaders visit the families of victims and hospitals
Several people have died in Rojid village of Botad due to drinking of SPURIOUS LIQUOR.@INCGujarat leaders visited the families of the deceased and offered condolences.pic.twitter.com/DDTwoRI4RE
— Gujarat Pradesh Congress Sevadal (@SevadalGJ) July 26, 2022
Over 60 people are being treated at Sir T hospital of Bhavnagar and Ahmedabad Civil Hospital.
गुजरात में ज़हरीली शराब ने हाहाकार मचा दिया है। 28 से अधिक लोगों की जान चली गई है।
आज मैंने भावनगर अस्पताल जाकर पीड़ितों से मुलाक़ात की। ईश्वर से सबके जल्द स्वस्थ होने की कामना करता हूं।
शराबबंदी वाले गुजरात में लोगों को कौन पिला रहा है ज़हरीली शराब? pic.twitter.com/CvhFUt64GI
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) July 26, 2022
Over a dozen were hospitalised due to the consumption of spurious liquor. A Committee to inquire into the incident of chemical misuse in Botad, Banvala and Dhandhuka Talukas has been formed.
લઠ્ઠાકાંડના પીડિતોએ જણાવ્યું કે, અહીં રોજ ખુલ્લેઆમ દારૂ વેચાય છે.
ગુજરાતમાં તો નશાબંધી છે છતાં આટલા મોટા પાયે દારૂ કઈ રીતે વેચાય છે? ભાજપ રાજમાં હજારો કરોડો રૂપિયાના ભ્રષ્ટાચારમાં બુટલેગરોને રાજકીય સંરક્ષણ મળે છે અને હજારો લોકોના જીવન સાથે રમત રમાય છે. pic.twitter.com/5Tw1GUUuXp
— AAP Gujarat (@AAPGujarat) July 26, 2022
Cases have been registered on over 14 people in connection with the incident.
The main supplier of methyl alcohol, Jayesh Khavadiya, worked at the Amos Company at Devraj Industrial Park in Piplaj of Ahmedabad, said sources
On July 22 evening, the main culprit Jayesh supplied Methyl alcohol in Nabhoi village. On the same night, alcohol was made and supplied by bootleggers, which led to the tragedy.
The crime branch has arrested Jayesh along with three others and handed them over to Barwala Police in Botad for further inquiry.
“A total of 28 people have died in the tragedy. The chemical was directly mixed with water and consumed by people, 600 litres of this was sold at Rs 40,000,” informed the Director general of police (DGP), Ashish Bhatia.
DGP Bhatia also informed that the local police will constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) over the matter.
“Three FIRs registered at Barwala, Ranpur and Ahmedabad Rural…Local Police will constitute SIT,” he added.
Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghvi took note of the situation and chaired a meeting regarding the case.
A Committee to inquire into the incident of chemical misuse in Botad, Banvala and Dhandhuka Talukas has been formed after the meeting.
“This is pertaining the chemical misuse incident that took place on 25/7/22 and 26/7/22 that spans over villages of Botad and Ahmedabad districts. Keeping in view the gravity of the incident, the State Government has resolved to form a Committee,” read an official resolution by the state government.
The committee comprises IPS Inspector General of Police, (Crime — I), CID (Crime and Railways) Subhash Trivedi,
Chairperson, MA Gandhi, IAS VC and MD, GSRTC and Director, Prohibition and Excise, Gujarat and HP Sanghvi, Director Forensic Science Laboratory, Gujarat.
The Committee shall inquire into the reasons of this incident and submit a detailed report, read the official document.
The incident came to light last night when several people were rushed to hospitals after consuming liquor infused with dangerous chemicals.
“13 people from nearby villages admitted to civil hospital, 6 are stable & kept under observation. The other 6 are being treated. As of now, nobody is serious. We are ready to treat more patients,” said Medical Superintendent, Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad, Dr Rakesh Joshi on Tuesday morning. Further investigations are underway.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal demanded a thorough probe into the “trail” of money generated by selling illegal liquor.
AAP Supremo Arvind Kejriwal said while replying to queries of reporters on the hooch tragedy “It is unfortunate that despite prohibition, illegal liquor is sold in huge quantities in Gujarat. Who are the people who sell illegal liquor? They enjoy political protection. Where does the money (generated by selling illegal liquor) go? This needs to be probed,” he said.
