Bhavnagar Spurious Liquor Tragedy: Death Toll Rises To 7, 21 Accused in FIR

The death toll in the Bhavnagar fake liquor tragedy has risen to seven, with a First Information Report (FIR) now registered against 21 accused in connection with the consumption and distribution of counterfeit liquor in Kharakdi village of Ghogha taluka.

The FIR, registered at the Vartej Police Station on August 19, states that the accused allegedly manufactured and sold chemically contaminated liquor for financial gain, putting consumers' lives at risk. The case names 21 accused, including individuals from Kharakdi, Vartej, Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh and other parts of Bhavnagar district.

FIR Links Tragedy To Counterfeit Royal Stag Bottles

According to the FIR, the liquor was allegedly sold in bottles bearing the Royal Stag label. Police investigations found that liquor was brought from Ujjain and subsequently adulterated and distributed in Bhavnagar and surrounding areas.

The FIR alleges that several accused were involved in procuring liquor, preparing the adulterated stock and distributing it through different channels. Investigators are now working to establish the complete supply chain and identify where the remaining stock was sent.

Royal Stag Bottle Found With 38.59% Methanol

A key finding recorded in the FIR is the chemical analysis of a seized Royal Stag bottle. The sample contained 38.59% methanol and 0.94% ethanol, according to the report attached to the FIR.

The FIR also records methanol levels in samples collected from several victims, including Upendrasinh Chandrasinh Gohil and Kartikbhai Ashwinbhai Makwana.

Party In Kharakdi Preceded Health Crisis

The case came to light after people who had consumed liquor during gatherings in and around Kharakdi began falling seriously ill. Several victims developed symptoms including vomiting, breathing difficulties and other health complications, following which they were admitted to hospitals in Bhavnagar.

The FIR details statements and medical information relating to multiple people who allegedly consumed the liquor, while investigators have continued tracing the source and distribution of the counterfeit stock.

21 Accused Named In FIR

The FIR names 21 accused, with the alleged network spanning Kharakdi, Vartej and Ujjain. The accused are alleged to have been involved at different stages of procuring, preparing, selling or distributing the adulterated liquor.

Police have registered the case under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Gujarat Prohibition Act, and further investigation is underway.

The development comes after the state government stepped up its response to the tragedy, with the State Monitoring Cell taking charge of the investigation and efforts intensifying to trace the wider counterfeit liquor network.

The rising death toll and the methanol findings have heightened concerns over the scale of the illegal liquor operation and whether the contaminated stock reached other parts of Gujarat.