Death toll mounts to 37 in Gujarat hooch tragedy

The death toll in spurious liquor tragedy that struck Botad district and adjoining villages of Ahmedabad mounted to 37 on Tuesday, forcing the police and the state government to expedite investigation and launch a state-wide crackdown on liquor dens in 'dry' Gujarat.

At least 88 patients - 73 in Bhavnagar and 15 in Ahmedabad- are under treatment, of whom 11 are said to be in a critical condition. Maximum deaths - 24 - were in Botad district.

Director general of police (DGP) Ashish Bhatia said the liquid in the seized pouches contained nearly 99% methanol, which was stolen from a chemical factory in Ahmedabad by its godown manager and supplied to bootleggers in the affected villages. The chemical was mixed with water, making it a fatal combination.

Three FIRs were lodged, one each in Barwala, Ranpur and Dhandhuka naming 14 people, eight of whom have been arrested.

These include prime accused Jayesh Khavadiya, the godown manager. All have been booked for murder and relevant sections of IPC and Prohibition Act.