Bhavnagar Hooch Tragedy: 1 Lakh-Page Chargesheet Filed in Court, 42 Arrested Over 14 Deaths

The Gujarat State Monitoring Cell (SMC) has filed a massive chargesheet spanning nearly one lakh pages in the Bhavnagar hooch tragedy, which claimed 14 lives after victims consumed methanol-laced liquor.

The chargesheet was submitted to a local court following an extensive investigation into the incident that occurred in the Vartej area of Bhavnagar district on August 18, 2026.

The investigation has so far led to the arrest of 42 accused, including a police personnel. Another 10 suspects have been declared wanted and are being traced by the police.

CCTV Footage, Financial Transactions Form Key Evidence

According to the investigation, the one lakh-page chargesheet contains extensive documentary and technical evidence against the accused.

The evidence includes financial transaction records tracing the money trail between suspects, CCTV footage collected from the incident site and various routes, call detail records (CDRs) documenting communications between the accused, and forensic evidence from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL).

The investigating agency has compiled these records to establish the alleged criminal network and strengthen its case before the court.

Interstate Methanol Supply Network Exposed

The SMC investigation also uncovered an alleged interstate network involved in supplying methanol, the toxic chemical used in the illicit liquor.

According to the agency, chemicals were brought from other states and distributed illegally through local networks.

The investigating team seized property worth approximately ₹22 lakh in connection with the case.

10 Accused Still Absconding

While 42 people have been arrested, around 10 other accused remain at large and have been declared wanted.

Police have formed separate teams to trace the absconding suspects and investigate the wider network involved in the illegal supply and distribution of methanol.

The filing of the chargesheet marks a major step in the legal proceedings over the tragedy that left 14 people dead in Bhavnagar district.