At least 14 people have died and several others are critically ill after consuming spurious liquor in Majitha, Amritsar; key accused including the kingpin arrested as investigation intensifies.
New Delhi: A heartbreaking incident in the Majitha area of Amritsar, Punjab, has so far taken the lives of 14 individuals, while a number of others are fighting for their lives in critical condition after drinking poisonous liquor. The disaster has sent the villages of Bhangali, Murari Kalan, and Thariyawal into mourning.
The fake alcohol was bought on the evening of May 11, according to local officials. The fatalities started emerging on Monday morning, and some of the victims were rushed to hospitals with severe symptoms. Six people are currently hospitalized in critical condition.
Amritsar SSP Mahinder Singh said police were informed about the incident at around 10:30 PM, following which a quick investigation was initiated. Four suspects were immediately arrested, which led to the arrest of the key supplier. Further investigation led to the arrest of the suspected kingpin, Sahib Singh, who is being questioned.
The authorities are attempting to determine the origin and distribution network of the poisonous liquor. Initial investigations indicate that the liquor was procured online, diluted by local distributor Prabhjeet, repacked, and sold.
Two FIRs have been lodged in relation to the case, and the police have been making round-the-clock raids since the incident night. The samples of the liquor have been sent for forensic analysis.
This is not the first such tragedy in Punjab. In 2024, there was a similar tragedy in Sangrur in which 24 people lost their lives. In 2020, more than 130 people lost their lives in Tarn Taran, Amritsar, and Gurdaspur after drinking spurious liquor, with many also losing their eyesight.
The Punjab government has given stern instructions to take the harshest possible action against those who produce and distribute poisonous alcohol.
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