Overview
- Villagers in Banda tehsil drank liquor on Sunday and many fell ill, with officials reporting death counts that range from five to about a dozen as screening and treatment continue.
- Doctors treating the patients reported symptoms such as bluish discolouration and muscle stiffness and the chief medical officer said these signs could indicate methanol poisoning, though laboratory confirmation is awaited.
- Police have registered cases and the district collector has ordered a magisterial inquiry while excise teams seized bottles and sealed several local liquor shops for testing.
- Chief Minister Mohan Yadav ordered an immediate probe, sent officials to the scene, and said strict action would follow if the tests show toxic or counterfeit liquor was to blame.
- A licensed contractor had complained days earlier about counterfeit bottles sold as 'Bombay Whisky' in the district, which investigators will examine to trace supply chains and assign legal responsibility.