The incident was noticeable on Monday when people developed health issues and were admitted to government hospitals in Rojid village, Gujarat. Many lost their lives after consuming spurious hooch.
At least thirty people have lost their lives and more than 50 hospitalized after allegedly consuming spurious hooch in Botad, Gujarat.
It was noticed on Monday when the locals from Rojid and nearby villages fell ill and were admitted to various government hospitals. Some patients developed severe health issues and died immediately. The manufacture, sale, and consumption of alcohol are restricted by the state.
Forensic Analysis on hooch
On Tuesday, the Gujarat government reported that the incident occurred due to “chemical poisoning” after the analysis by Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), Gandhinagar.
FSL has also revealed that the liquor contained 98.71 per cent to 98.99 per cent methyl alcohol. After the consultation with FSL, a team of doctors was appointed in the hospitals.
Investigation and Imprisonment
Harsh Sanghavi, Home Minister of the State has announced a three-member committee led by Subhash Trivedi, Inspector General of Police to investigate the incident and submit the reports within a prescribed time.
Following the investigation, Jayesh Kavadia who worked in a chemical manufacturing company was identified as the prime accused by Ahmedabad Police’s Detection of Crime Branch (DCB) officials. According to the statements Jayesh is said to have collected methanol illegally from the company he worked at.
Following his arrest, six more people have been imprisoned after lodging an FIR in the police stations of Barwala and Ranpur in Botad district under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Gujarat Prohibition Act.
Reports from Dhandhuka in Ahmedabad state that five more people have died in the locality which is under investigation. But for now, it has been reported as accidental deaths, a statement released by the government.
The Hooch “Lattha”
As per the police reports, “Lattha” as locals called the hooch was being supplied to more than 100 people from various villages of Ahmedabad, Botad, and Surendranagar.
After the death of 30 people, 50 were still admitted to the hospitals, and the death toll is expected to rise. Moreover, many suffer from severe health conditions like that of the deceased.
Currently from the details, 50 locals are being treated at various government hospitals in Bhavnagar, Botad, Barvala, and Dhandhuka. The victims have consumed highly methyl-concentrated liquor which they acquired from a local bootlegger in the “dry” state.
Witnessing Villagers
In the village Rojid which is the center of the tragedy, eleven people died. The villagers recall as the victims started losing their eyesight and vomited blood on Monday.
One of the 32-year-old victim’s mother said that “Deepak Vaghela was also a sanitation worker and consumed lattha on Sunday night. Later at Monday noon, he complained of losing his eyesight.
We took him to Sonawala hospital in Botad and doctors referred him to the government-run Sir T Hospital in Bhavnagar where he died Monday night. He left behind his wife Manisha and two daughters.”
“My father started vomiting Monday evening when we got to know many other villagers were also falling sick. He walked to the ambulance when he was taken to a Bhavnagar hospital. However, he died late Monday,” said Karan Thakor, son of 55-year-old Bhupatbhai Thakor.
The reports claim that out of 30 deceased, six belong to Ahmedabad and twenty-two from Botad due to the poisoning. For the remaining two, the cause of death is yet to be confirmed. A mass cremation was held following traditions and last rites by the communities on Tuesday in Rojid.
Selling Illicit Alcohol
The Congress leader, Patel has already filed a complaint about the illegal selling of alcohol in the state.
In the statement by Patel, “Even after complaining to police and naming a bootlegger from Chokdi village who was manufacturing illicit liquor, no action followed for months. This tragedy could have been averted if the police were proactive.”
Karanraj Vaghela, Superintendent of Police, Botad said that after the sarpanch filed a complaint the police summoned the sarpanch twice but he didn’t appear. “Among the six arrested, an accused Gajuben from Rojid village had 11 prohibition-related cases against her,” he added.
Read More : Toxic Liquor killing people in Gujarat | Botad hooch tragedy
