Death toll in Pune hooch tragedy climbs to 15, cops arrest eight; CM vows to 'dismantle spurious liquor ecosystem'

Mumbai: In one of the worst hooch tragedies in recent times, at least 15 persons have died in the last three days while some are battling for life after consuming methanol-laced spurious liquor in Pune triggering widespread panic in Maharashtra’s cultural capital.

The Pune police and Maharashtra government have put the toll at 14-15, however, the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi claimed that 18 people have lost their lives in the past three days.

At least three persons are in critical condition.

The deaths were reported from the Dapoli and Phugewadi localities of Pimpri-Chinchwad and the Sasane Nagar and Kalepadal localities of the Hadapsar area of Pune City.

So far eight people have been arrested including the bootlegger and illicit liquor joint owner.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who is also the state’s Home Minister has asked the State Excise and police commissionerates of Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad to launch a crackdown and dismantle the entire ecosystem of spurious liquor.

“Methanol-type product was used to make the liquor,” Fadnavis said describing the entire episode as serious and noting that no one would be spared.

The police and excise authorities suspect the liquor may have been laced with toxic substances, though the exact cause of death will be confirmed only after post-mortem, forensic and toxicology reports are received.

The viscera samples of the victims have been preserved and sent to the Regional Forensic Science Laboratory (RFSL) for analysis.

FIR has been registered at the Dapodi Police Station (Crime No. 114/2026) under sections 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 123 (causing hurt by means of harmful substances with intent to commit a crime), along with other relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and various provisions of the the Maharashtra Prohibition Act.

The spurious liquor was allegedly brewed by Yogesh Wankhede, who is said to be involved in the illicit liquor trade and already has multiple cases registered against him. Besides, Colonel Singh Virkha, who ran the joint, too has been taken into custody.

While five people died on Wednesday, seven on Thursday and the remaining three deaths were reported on Friday.

The tragedy has been particularly devastating for one family in Phugewadi, where two brothers reportedly lost their lives after consuming the suspected toxic liquor.

State Excise Commissioner Atul Kanade said that Wankhede had supplied liquor to both Phugewadi and Hadapsar.

“Four suspicious deaths have reported in Pune. We will receive the medical reports of the deceased persons by this evening, after which the exact cause behind the deaths will become clear,” Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar said.

“Seven persons have died in Pimpri-Chinchwad. So far we have arrested eight persons. As and when we get more details, we will share,” said Pimpri-Chinchwad Deputy Commissioner of Police Sandeep Atole.

Phugewadi resident Usha Sathe said: "In our small settlement, such a big tragedy has happened, whose tears can we wipe? The government has done this and left it like this. The administration should put a stop to it. Alcohol is the cause of all this. Alcohol is destroying everyone’s homes; it should be banned.”