Bhavnagar Spurious Liquor Case: SMC Traces Methanol Supply Chain to Delhi, Arrests Three

The Gujarat State Monitoring Cell (SMC) has traced the alleged supply chain of methanol used to manufacture spurious liquor in the Bhavnagar case to Delhi, with three persons arrested for allegedly supplying the toxic chemical to those involved in preparing the liquor.

The arrests mark a significant development in the investigation into the Bhavnagar spurious liquor case, in which poisonous alcohol containing methanol was allegedly used. With the latest arrests, the total number of accused arrested in the case has risen to 31, officials said.

The case was initially registered as an accidental death at Vartej Police Station in Bhavnagar district on August 18. During the investigation, officials established that the deaths were linked to the consumption of spurious liquor containing methanol. Following this, a criminal case was registered against the accused under several provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and the Gujarat Prohibition Act.

SMC takes over investigation

On the instructions of Director General of Police G S Malik, the investigation was handed over to the State Monitoring Cell. Police Inspector S M Jadeja of the SMC is leading the investigation.

Officials said the investigation was expanded beyond identifying those who allegedly manufactured and distributed the spurious liquor, with teams tasked with tracing the entire supply chain of the methanol used in the liquor.

The SMC deployed 16 teams across Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat to collect evidence, identify suspects and trace the movement of the toxic chemical.

So far, 28 accused had been arrested and produced before the competent court, from where police custody remand was obtained, according to the SMC. With the arrest of the three alleged methanol suppliers, the number of arrests has now reached 31.

Probe turns to source of methanol

A major focus of the investigation was to establish where the methanol and other chemicals used to prepare the spurious liquor had originated and how they were transported to Gujarat.

Different SMC teams were deployed to trace the suppliers, transporters and intermediaries involved in moving the methanol from its source to Gujarat.

After an extensive investigation, officials allegedly traced the supply of the methanol used in the Bhavnagar case to Pramod Kumar Budakoti, a Delhi resident.

According to the SMC, Budakoti allegedly supplied the methanol illegally to Rohit Pradhan and Keshav Jatav, both residents of Delhi.

Methanol allegedly routed through transport company

Investigators allege that Pradhan and Jatav subsequently used other accused persons to transport the methanol to a transport company's godown in Ahmedabad.

The investigators are now examining the exact route followed by the chemical, the transporters and intermediaries involved, and the manner in which the methanol ultimately reached those allegedly involved in manufacturing the spurious liquor.

Officials are also probing whether the same network had supplied methanol or other chemicals for similar illegal activities previously.

Three arrested with help of Delhi Police

The three alleged suppliers Budakoti, Pradhan and Jatav were arrested by the State Monitoring Cell with the assistance of the Delhi Police.

The Gujarat Police are currently undertaking the process of securing transit remand for the three accused and bringing them to Gujarat for further questioning.

Investigators are expected to question the accused about the source of the methanol, the quantity supplied, the financial transactions involved and the identities of other persons who may have participated in the procurement and transportation of the chemical.

Probe continues to identify entire network

The SMC has continued its investigation to identify every person involved in the procurement, transportation, distribution and use of methanol in the Bhavnagar case.

Officials said the objective is not only to establish the immediate source of the chemical but also to identify the broader network through which toxic chemicals were allegedly procured and transported to Gujarat.

The investigation into the Bhavnagar spurious liquor case remains underway, with further arrests possible as investigators trace the remaining links in the alleged methanol supply chain.