Amritsar Hooch Tragedy: 10 Arrested After Spurious Alcohol Kills 21, Mann Calls It 'Murder'
At least 21 people lost their lives after consuming spurious liquor in the Majitha area of Punjab’s Amritsar district, prompting a major crackdown on the illicit alcohol network and the suspension of two senior police officers for negligence. Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav, addressing the media on Tuesday, confirmed that ten individuals have been arrested in connection with the hooch tragedy. The arrested include the alleged kingpin, distributors, sellers, and methanol suppliers involved in the illegal liquor trade.
Among the deceased are residents of Bhangali Kalan, Patalpuri, Marari Kalan, Threawal, Talwandi Khumman, and Karnala villages. At least six others have been hospitalised with serious health complications, officials said, as per news agency PTI.
DGP Yadav said the arrested kingpin has been identified as Sahib Singh. He reportedly procured methanol—a toxic industrial chemical—online and used it to manufacture the fatal concoction. Methanol suppliers Pankaj Kumar alias Sahil and Arvind Kumar, owners of Sahil Chemicals based in Sukh Enclave, Ludhiana, have also been apprehended.
Local distributors Prabhjit Singh and Kulbir Singh, along with sellers Ninder Kaur, Sahib Singh, Gurjant Singh, Arun alias Kala, and Sikander Singh alias Pappu, were among those arrested.
“Preliminary investigation has revealed that methanol, after being procured online by kingpin Sahib Singh, was being used for manufacturing spurious liquor,” said DGP Yadav, as per PTI. He added that the police are working to uncover the entire modus operandi and ensure all individuals involved are brought to justice. “We all stand united in grief and in our resolve to ensure that justice is served and such tragedies are prevented in future,” he said.
According to Senior Superintendent of Police (Amritsar Rural) Maninder Singh, the investigation found that distributor Prabhjit Singh had received a 50-litre jerry can of methanol from Sahib Singh. Another consignment ordered from a Delhi-based firm is currently in transit. Excise and police teams have been deployed to intercept and seize it, he added.
In light of gross negligence, Deputy Superintendent of Police (Majitha) Amolak Singh and Majitha Station House Officer Sub-Inspector Avtar Singh have been suspended, and departmental inquiries have been initiated.
Two separate cases have been registered at Majitha and Kathunangal police stations under Sections 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and 103 (murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with relevant sections of the Excise Act and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
'It Is Like Murder': Punjab CM Mann Meets Kin Of Victims; Majithia Slams AAP's 'PR Stunt'
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann visited one of the affected villages and expressed his grief. “A very sad incident has taken place. Due to consumption of spurious liquor, around 17 people died. Five to six deaths occurred in the village where we are standing… It is like murder, not deaths,” he said, according to ANI.
“We have arrested 10 accused so far. Those who supplied this, those who brought this to them (people)… Once we get to know of this chain—who supported whom—the links go to Delhi too; our team has gone to Delhi too. They will not be spared,” Mann said, stressing that no matter how powerful those involved are, they will be brought to justice.
He also announced ₹10 lakh compensation for each bereaved family, adding, “These (deceased) belonged to very poor households, they were almost the sole breadwinners and had young children… Money can’t bring life back, but we will help. If there is anyone in their blood relation who is eligible to work, it will help in managing their expenses.”
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia, speaking to ANI, said, “I express my condolences to all the affected families… This is the fourth incident in the reign of AAP government. Earlier, a similar incident happened in Sangrur… In Hoshiarpur, 6-7 people died in a similar incident. Before that, a similar incident occurred in Moga… The CM has been campaigning against drug abuse, but now the truth has been revealed."
“He was claiming that drug abuse would be eliminated from Punjab by May 31. It means that all of this was just a PR stunt,” Mijithia alleged.
The SAD leader alleged that shops selling liquor at retail price were shut in favour of those close to the ruling party's members. "This led to alcohol becoming expensive. Those depending on daily wages cannot afford such alcohol; hence, they are forced to buy cheap liquor. This is a failure of the government and incompetence," he added.
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