Bhavnagar Spurious Liquor Row: Human Rights Body Issues Notice To Gujarat Chief Secretary, DGP

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognisance of the hooch tragedy in Gujarat’s Bhavnagar district, where 13 people have reportedly died and several others remain in critical condition.

Taking a strict view of the incident based on media reports, the NHRC has issued notices to the Gujarat Chief Secretary and Director General of Police (DGP), seeking a detailed report on the deaths and the action taken in the matter.

Report sought within two weeks

The commission has directed the state authorities to submit a report within two weeks detailing the circumstances surrounding the tragedy, action taken against those responsible and the measures planned to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The NHRC’s intervention comes amid an ongoing police investigation into the supply of the suspected spurious liquor.

Methanol suspected in spurious liquor

According to the preliminary investigation cited in the report, bootleggers allegedly mixed a high quantity of methanol, a highly toxic chemical, into the liquor.

The suspected spurious liquor was allegedly repackaged in empty bottles of popular foreign liquor brands to make it appear genuine before being sold in the market.

The consumption of the suspected spurious liquor has resulted in multiple deaths and serious illnesses, prompting the human rights commission to initiate suo motu proceedings.

Police intensify raids to trace chemical source

Meanwhile, police have intensified raids as part of the investigation to trace the source of the methanol and establish the supply chain behind the suspected spurious liquor.

The authorities are also probing those involved in the manufacturing, repackaging and distribution of the illicit liquor.