Bhopal: A BJP leader was among at least 12 people to have died after consuming suspected spurious liquor in Madhya Pradesh’s Sagar district, while 54 have been hospitalised.
Harnam Rai, BJP Mandal general secretary in the Bunda Assembly constituency, reportedly consumed the same liquor. He had to be hospitalised after his condition deteriorated, and passed away while undergoing treatment.
Post-mortem reports revealed presence of methanol in victims’ bodies.
Madhya Pradesh Health minister and Sagar district in-charge minister Rajendra Shukla told Aaj Tak that a large quantity of methanol, a highly toxic chemical, was found in the bodies of those who died.
The tragedy has raised fresh questions over how the suspected illegal liquor network was able to operate in the Bunda-Shahgarh region.
Investigators are trying to find out whether the victims consumed liquor from the same source or batch, and how widely the suspected counterfeit liquor had been distributed.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has ordered a full-fledged inquiry into the deaths and promised strict action against those responsible.
Yadav said he had instructed the concerned minister and officials to visit the affected area and ensure that the matter was investigated thoroughly.
Last month, 13 people died in Gujarat’s Bhavnagar district after consuming spurious liquor.
