Pune Hooch Tragedy: 7 dead after consuming spurious liquor in Pimpri Chinchwad, probe ordered

Pune Hooch Tragedy:  At least seven persons have died and three others remain in critical condition after allegedly consuming spurious liquor in the Phugewadi area of Pimpri Chinchwad, Maharashtra. Three more deaths in Pune's Hadapsar locality over the past 24 hours are also being investigated under a similar angle, taking the suspected toll to 10.

Pimpri Chinchwad Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 1) Sandeep Atole confirmed that all deaths are suspected to be linked to consumption of illicit liquor. "We launched an investigation immediately after the deaths were reported in Phugewadi. Seven fatalities are suspected so far, though the exact cause of death will be confirmed only after laboratory reports," he told reporters. Authorities suspect the liquor was laced with methanol, a toxic chemical that can cause fatal poisoning even in small quantities.

Eight persons, including a key bootlegger, have been detained in connection with the supply of the toxic liquor in the Pimpri Chinchwad area.

Meanwhile, in Pune, the police have separately launched an investigation into three deaths in Hadapsar, treating them as potentially linked to the same consignment. Maharashtra Excise Commissioner Atul Kanade said in a joint operation, state excise officials and local police arrested Yogesh Wankhede, identified as the primary supplier. He is alleged to have distributed the illicit batch to both Phugewadi and Hadapsar. Wankhede has since been handed over to the Pimpri Chinchwad police for further legal proceedings.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered a high-level inquiry into the incident. Raids to dismantle the illegal liquor network are continuing across both areas.