JOIN USIn a shocking incident, at least 13 persons died and seven others were in a critical condition after consuming illicit liquor at the Malvani-Malad western suburbs of Mumbai.
Around 15 people have been admitted to hospitals and undergoing treatment and they are said to be out of danger.
The victims had consumed liquor on Wednesday night at an illegal joint near the area around the Jurassic Park resort in Malvani suburbs. From Thursday morning, they showed symptoms like nausea, irritation, headache among others and were rushed to hospitals. “We have started investigations into the case,” Deputy Commissioner of Police Dhananjay Kulkarni, the Mumbai Police spokesperson, told Deccan Heald on Thursday night. According to him, Mumbai Police chief Rakesh Maria has handed over the investigations to the Crime Branch-CID.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who is also the home minister, was briefed about the incident. Senior officials of the Mumbai Police are at the spot and hospitals to carry out the investigations.
One person, Raju Langada, has been detained by the police. Several persons are being questioned in this connection – and the process of registration of an FIR is under progress. Statements of some of the people in the neighbourhood and those undergoing treatment has been recorded.
The victims have been admitted to the KEM Hospital and Shatabdi Hospital. "Investigations are at primary stage, we cannot comment more at this stage," said Fatehsinh Patil, Additional Commissioner of Police (North Region).
Hooch tragedy is not something new in Mumbai – on December 27, 2004, as many as 87 persons died after consuming illicit liquor in Vikhroli – while around 300 plus others had to be admitted in various hospitals for treatment.
Country-made liquor dens are located in the creeks at Thane, Vasai, Ambarnath, Palghar, Mumbra and Virar. Some of the dens are also situated in the midst of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park and other isolated places. A large number of daily-wage earners consume cheap spurious liquor and hence it has a market in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. The liquor is transported to various places to the seller in tyre-tubes.