CB-CID begins probe into Tamil Nadu hooch deaths

Tamil Nadu Police’s Crime Branch-Criminal Investigation Department (CB-CID) on Thursday began its probe into the hooch tragedy that claimed the lives of 22 people in Villupuram and Chengalpattu districts earlier this week. The DMK dispensation came under severe criticism from Opposition parties and prohibition activists for not controlling the availability of spurious liquor in the state.

The case was handed over to the CB-CID by Chief Minister M K Stalin on Monday after he visited the families of those who died after consuming spurious liquor. As many as 22 persons lost their lives and over 50 people are still receiving treatment at various government hospitals following the incident.

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The incident took place in Marakkanam in Villupuram district and Madhuranthagam in Chengalpattu district on May 14. Since the places are located within 60 km of each other, police suspect that a single person could be responsible for selling spurious liquor.

Two teams from the CB-CID headed by ADSPs went to Villupuram and Chengalpattu districts to launch the probe. “ADSP Gomathi will lead the investigation in Villupuram, while it will be led by ADSP Maheshwari in Chengalpattu. The investigation will be speeded up,” a senior police official said.

The police have arrested 45-year-old S Elaya Nambi, a chemical engineer in Chennai, for selling Methanol to people who made the spurious liquor. Nambi sold Methanol to a couple of people in Puducherry who in turn sold them to people in Marakkanam, who made the spurious liquor.

Police have so far arrested a dozen people in connection with the hooch tragedy, while the National Human Rights Commission has issued a notice to the state government in this regard.