Illicit liquor kills 13, gets several others hospitalised in Pune; 8 arrested

Mumbai: At least 13 people have died and several others left hospitalised after consuming illicit liquor in Pune.

The deaths have been reported from Phugewadi area of Pimpri Chinchwad and the Pandhare Mala area of Pune's Hadapsar. Three men suspected of consuming toxic liquor are undergoing treatment at a hospital in Pimpri Chinchwad.

The liquor was allegedly brewed and supplied by Yogesh Wankhede, a local of Pune.

The deaths have been reported in past 24 hours, reports reaching here said on Friday.

The State Excise Department and police commissionerates of Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad are probing the incident. Eight people have been picked up by the police for questioning.

State Excise Commissioner Atul Kanade said that Yogesh Wankhede has been detained and handed over to the Pimpri Chinchwad police for further action.

Autopsy reports are awaited.

CM Fadnavis on Pune illicit liquor deaths

Chief Minister Fadnavis responded to the Pune hooch tragedy and assured necessary legal action.

"This is a very serious incident. Eight persons have been immediately arrested in this connection, and some more are also likely to be arrested. We have identified the complete ecosystem behind it," Fadnavis told reporters in Mumbai.

"Our police are making full efforts in the matter and are also trying to find out how far this ecosystem has spread. The police are jointly working with the Excise Department," the CM added.

NCP (SP) leader Rohit Pawar reacts

NCP (SP) leader Rohit Pawar met the families affected by the incident, and alongside other party workers reportedly destroyed a liquor den in Hadapsar area.

Terming the incident as "extremely horrifying", he said, "Despite repeated concerns being raised over the rampant illegal activities in the state, the government has failed to curb them, and it is solely the state government's responsibility that 18 people lost their lives after consuming spurious liquor."

(With agency inputs)