Bhavnagar Spurious Liquor Case: Main Accused in Fake Consignment Bills Arrested in Delhi

The spurious liquor tragedy that shook Bhavnagar has claimed 13 lives, while more than 70 people were hospitalised after allegedly consuming liquor made with toxic chemicals.

The State Monitoring Cell (SMC) has made a major breakthrough in the case by arresting Manjeet Singh Saini, the alleged main supplier involved in procuring methanol from Delhi and preparing fake consignment documents to conceal its transportation.

Singh, who allegedly operated a company called Jeet Chemicals in Delhi, was arrested from the national capital. His arrest takes the total number of accused arrested in connection with the case to 40.

The incident occurred in Bhavnagar on August 18, 2026, and triggered a major investigation into the supply chain behind the toxic liquor.

Methanol disguised as thinner

According to the investigation, the highly hazardous chemical methanol, allegedly used in manufacturing the spurious liquor, had been sourced from Delhi.

Investigators found that 43-year-old Manjeet Singh Krishnachandra Saini, a resident of Mundka village in Delhi, allegedly prepared fake bills and consignment documents showing the methanol as “thinner” to make its transportation appear legitimate.

An SMC team subsequently conducted a raid in Delhi and detained Singh. He was produced before a court, which granted police custody remand until September 10, 2026, allowing investigators to question him about the alleged supply network and documentation racket.

40 accused arrested so far

The investigation is being conducted by the State Monitoring Cell under the direction of Gujarat Director General of Police G.S. Malik. Police Inspector S.M. Jadeja is leading the probe.

Before Singh's arrest, the SMC had detained 39 accused in connection with the case. Of these, 38 had been sent to judicial custody, while one accused was in police custody.

With Singh's arrest in Delhi, the number of accused arrested in the case has risen to 40, with investigators expecting further revelations during his custodial interrogation.

The SMC is now probing the wider network involved in procuring, transporting and disguising the methanol allegedly used in the fatal spurious liquor operation.