Bihar hooch tragedy toll rises to six as one more person dies

Motihari (Bihar): The toll in the Bihar hooch tragedy rose to six on Saturday after one more person who had consumed spurious liquor in East Champaran district died, officials said.

The first death in the incident was reported on Thursday.

At least 12 people have been arrested in connection with the deaths in Turkauliya and Raghunathpur areas of Motihari, District Magistrate Saurabh Jorwal said.

A case of murder has been registered on the basis of complaints filed by the family members of the deceased, police said.

They also said that at least four people were still hospitalised, while seven have been discharged after treatment.

The district magistrate told PTI, "The toll has mounted to six, and the bodies have been sent for post-mortem examination. The exact cause of the deaths can only be known after the reports arrive." Turkauliya police station SHO has already been suspended for dereliction of duty. A special investigation team (SIT) has been constituted to probe the incident.

Initial investigations suggested that the first victim had consumed illicit liquor in Raghunathpur area, police sources said.

"Police have identified the liquor supplier. A team comprising the district police and the Anti-Liquor Task Force (ALTF) is conducting searches in Parsauni, Mushhari Tola, and Turkaulia. A high-level inquiry has also been ordered into the incident," the DM said on Saturday.

The deaths have led to a political slugfest in the state, where the sale and consumption of alcohol has been banned since 2016.