Overview
- The toxic batch first sickened people at a farmhouse in Kharakdi village on the night of August 16, and 13 people have now died while dozens were hospitalised and later treated or discharged.
- Forensic tests found extremely high methanol in a seized bottle — 38.59% methanol and 0.94% ethanol — and methanol was detected in victims’ blood, linking the deaths to poisoning.
- Police registered an FIR naming 21 people and have arrested at least 13 to 14 suspects, including a key accused detained from Ujjain, with several held in remand for questioning.
- Investigators seized counterfeit bottles, brand-like stickers, caps, chemicals and sealing equipment and have sent teams to Ahmedabad, Ujjain and other locations to trace suppliers and transport routes.
- Authorities suspended multiple police personnel for alleged negligence, have urged anyone who drank from similar bottles to seek immediate medical help, and warned more arrests and supply-chain tracing are likely next steps.