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Methanol-Laced Liquor in Punjab Claims 21 Lives, 10 Arrested

Authorities in Amritsar's Majitha subdivision have arrested 10 suspects, suspended four officials, and launched investigations into the illicit liquor trade responsible for the deaths.

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Relatives of those who lost their lives in the Punjab hooch tragedy have been mourning their deaths after they consumed spurious liquor.
Relatives of one of the victims in Mardi Kalan village. (PTI)
Grieving family members of one of the victims, Karnail Singh, at Threawal village in Amritsar on Tuesday. (Sameer Sehgal/HT)

Overview

  • The death toll from methanol-laced spurious liquor in Majitha subdivision has risen to 21, with 10 others hospitalized, several in critical condition.
  • Punjab Police arrested 10 individuals, including kingpin Sahib Singh and local distributor Prabhjit Singh, who procured methanol online to manufacture the illicit liquor.
  • Four officials, including the Majitha DSP and an excise officer, have been suspended for negligence, and departmental inquiries are underway.
  • Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann condemned the incident as 'murders,' announced ₹10 lakh compensation for victims' families, and vowed severe action against those involved.
  • This is the third major hooch tragedy in Punjab in five years, highlighting systemic regulatory failures and ongoing challenges in combating the illegal liquor trade.