Bhavnagar Spurious Liquor Tragedy Claims 3 Lives: SMC Takes Over Investigation
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Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Three people have died and 17 others remain hospitalised in Bhavnagar district after consuming counterfeit 'Royal Stag' whisky during a gathering at a farm in Kharakdi village, Ghogha taluka.
The deceased have been identified as Kartik Ashwinbhai Makwana (40) of Bhavnagar, Upendrasinh Chandrasinh Gohil (25) of Kharakdi, and Narendrasinh Yadav, a resident of Indore, Madhya Pradesh. District administration officials confirmed that nine victims are currently receiving treatment at the government-run hospital, whilst eight others have been admitted across various private facilities. Authorities stated that the condition of all 17 hospitalised individuals is presently stable.
High-Level Emergency Meeting Triggers SMC Probe
The fatalities triggered immediate intervention from the Gujarat state government late on 18 August. Following an emergency high-level meeting convened at Ahmedabad Airport with Director General of Police G.S. Malik, Intelligence Bureau chiefs, and the Ahmedabad Police Commissioner, officials transferred the entire investigation to the State Monitoring Cell (SMC).
Superintendent of Police Mayur Chavda was dispatched directly to Bhavnagar to oversee operations, track the supply network, and initiate strict legal proceedings against those involved.
Bootleggers Detained as Officials Issue Urgent Health Advisory
Police have detained four bootleggers suspected of distributing the illicit alcohol. Initial enquiries revealed that a group of seven friends gathered for a party in the agricultural fields of Kharakdi village on the night of 16 August. Shortly after consuming the liquid, several attendees suffered severe breathlessness, violent nausea, and persistent vomiting before being rushed to medical care.
Bhavnagar District Collector and senior police officers clarified during a press briefing that the incident stems from counterfeit branded alcohol rather than a chemical laththa (spurious alcohol) brewing operation. The District Collector issued an urgent public appeal requesting anyone who consumed liquor in the area on Sunday or Monday to report to the nearest medical facility immediately for precautionary health checks.
