Gujarat hooch tragedy toll rises to 13 as two die in treatment
Officials say 13 people have died in Gujarat’s Bhavnagar hooch tragedy, with two more deaths during treatment. 67 people reportedly consumed methanol-laced liquor; 24 were traced for medical checks and 13 of 21 accused are in police custody.
Key takeaways
- Toll in Bhavnagar hooch tragedy reached 13 with two more deaths during treatment.
- 67 people reportedly consumed methanol-containing liquor; 24 linked for medical checks; 13 suspects arrested.
- Investigation is led by the State Monitoring Cell, with the FIR naming 21 accused and charges including culpable homicide and adulteration.
What Happened
The Bhavnagar district in Gujarat reported that the death toll from consuming spurious liquor rose to 13, with two additional deaths occurring while patients were under treatment. Officials noted that 67 people had consumed liquor containing methanol, a highly toxic substance. The incident center around bottles bearing the label of a popular IMFL brand, and the liquor is alleged to have been prepared at the residence of Gautam Solanki in Vartej, with Raees detained in Ujjain assisting. A local FIR named 21 accused, with 13 already arrested and custody extended for 10 days after remand by a local court. The probe has been handed to the State Monitoring Cell."
Why It Matters
Gujarat remains a dry state where manufacture, sale and consumption of alcohol are banned. Officials trace the tainted liquor to illicit channels and have linked the operation to multiple locations and accomplices across states, highlighting enforcement gaps around illicit liquor networks and public health risks from adulterated products. The case has prompted police and state agencies to intensify investigations into similar illicit liquor supply chains and to pursue charges including culpable homicide not amounting to murder, adulteration and poisoning.
Background
The tragedy comes amid ongoing concerns about illicit liquor in India and state responses to methanol poisoning cases. Prior reporting indicates the liquor was reportedly packed and sealed in bottles bearing the label of an IMFL brand, with the source of raw materials tracked to individuals in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, and with seizures and custody actions ongoing as authorities pursue the broader network behind the distribution.
Key Facts
- Location: Bhavnagar district, Gujarat, India
- Death toll: 13 as of August 23, 2026 (latest official update); two more deaths during treatment reported
- Initial tracer group: 67 persons consumed methanol-containing liquor
- Contacts traced for medical checks: 24 individuals
- Hospital status: three other persons still in hospital on the latest update
- Affected authorities: FIR at Vartej police station; 21 accused named; 13 arrested
- Legal charges listed: culpable homicide not amounting to murder, adulteration and poisoning under relevant acts
- Investigation unit: State Monitoring Cell (SMC) under Gujarat police
- Source pattern: tainted liquor labelled as an IMFL brand; alleged preparation at a residence in Vartej
What Happens Next
Officials indicate continued policing actions and remand extensions for the accused. The State Monitoring Cell will maintain oversight of the inquiry, with further procedural steps expected as investigators trace raw materials, distribution channels, and possible cross-state links related to the illicit liquor supply chain.
Sources reviewed
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