Toxic Spurious Liquor Claims 37 Lives in Tamil Nadu

Chennai: Thirty-seven persons lost their lives after consuming toxic spurious liquor in Tamil Nadu’s Kallakurichi district. At least 55 others, who consumed the spurious liquor have been hospitalised. Eighteen of them have been shifted to JIPMER in Puducherry and six to the Medical College and Hospital in Salem as their condition deteriorated.

Police have arrested a suspected bootlegger and detained two others. Confirming that these deaths were caused due to consumption of toxic liquor, a senior police officer told NDTV, “We are investigating what exactly they consumed. We have taken three people into custody. At least three of the four people who died had consumed liquor supplied by private people, not procured from the government-run liquor shops.”

The Tamil Nadu government has suspended the Kallakuruchi district police chief and appointed another IPS in his place. Collector of the district has also been replaced.

A DSP of Police-rank officer of the prohibition enforcement wing, three inspectors and three sub-inspectors were suspended. The Tamil Nadu government has entrusted the investigation of this liquor tragedy to CB-CID.

Chief Minister MK Stalin said in a post on X said, “The accused have been arrested. Action has been taken against officials who failed to prevent this. We will crack down with an iron hand. If public complain about such perpetrators, action would be taken.”

He has asked two ministers, including Health Minister Ma Subramaniam, to rush to Kallakurichi and ensure every possible medical help to the affected people.

In 2023, at least 22 people died in Tamil Nadu after consuming methanol.